Recent stories about children hurting themselves or others with guns, trigger officers to enforce safety habits. Sgt. Chris Butzer explained the importance of gun safety Friday. He helps Columbia Police officers learn safety procedures before carrying and loading their own weapon. Sgt. Butzer doesn't just target cops for those lessons. He says all gun owners need to know how to safely handle a weapon.
"Individuals who use guns have to understand that they need to treat that weapon as if it were loaded," says Butzer.
When it is loaded, Butzer says know where you're aiming the gun.
He says, "Never point the weapon at something you don't intend to fire at."
Guns aren't toys and if you play around with them Butzer says a deadly mistake can quickly be made. That's why the sergeant stresses the importance of teaching all family members the importance of safety.
Sgt. Butzer says, "Make sure the weapon is secure and the weapon is unloaded. Verify that it's unloaded physically and visually. Make sure it's inaccessible to unauthorized individuals or children. Keep a trigger lock on the gun."
Simple tips that police say could help save a life.
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