This Ad Campaign to Protect Kids Who Are Killed by Family Guns Will Chill You to the Bone
No matter your view on the second amendment, there's one thing we should all agree on: children should never be able to get their hands on a gun. However, eight kids are unintentionally injured or killed by a loaded, unlocked gun each day in America. Released on Aug. 8 in order to protect those eight kids, the "End Family Fire" campaign, "a movement aimed at putting safety first," was launched "to promote responsible gun ownership in the home."
In a chilling video from the Ad Council, the mission of the campaign is driven home through a conversation between a father and son that goes from lighthearted to dark very quickly. After tickling his son and asking him to get ready for his day, the dad is faced with an unexpected question that leads to the candid chat: "Hey, Dad, do we have a gun?"
Family Fire is a real and preventable tragedy that affects millions of families.
The boy first discusses the dad's gun (which he says he bets looks like a toy) and its purpose, then asks where it's kept and if it's loaded, guessing the answers to both questions correctly before his dad can curb his son's curiosity. The terror in the father's eyes as his son suggests that the gun could be used by him to protect his mom when the pair are alone is enough to give you chills, but the boy's small voice discussing such a huge and heavy topic will bring you to tears.
"I'll teach you how to handle the gun when you're old enough," the dad says.
"And what if I don't make it to 'old enough'? I could get bullied and decide it's too much for me. It would be so easy with our gun," the son responds.
"Our gun? No, buddy, my gun."
"But it is our gun, in our home. Happens all the time."
"I'll make sure that doesn't happen. I'm always here for you."
"But, Dad, you're not always here."
The ad ends with the dad standing in the same place in the kitchen, but his son isn't there and the cartoons that were playing previously are now a weather report; his son's toys and drawings that were on the floor have disappeared. With the boy missing, we're led to believe that the father was left to imagine this conversation because his son is already gone at the hands of the gun he was so curious about.
"Referring to shootings that involve improperly stored or misused guns found in homes, family fire is a real and preventable tragedy that affects millions of families," the Ad Council site reads. "When it comes to guns, we can all agree on the importance of preventing kids from having easy access to them. These PSAs aim to inspire gun owners to make their homes safer when it comes to the storage and handling of their guns."
If you have a gun in your home, consider these tips from EndFamilyFire.org:
- Keep your gun in a secure and inaccessible location, away from kids (like a gun safe).
- Always store your gun and its ammo separately.
- Pair your gun with a gun lock of the right style and size.
- Discuss gun safety with your family.
- If you aren't a gun owner yet, consider other options for family home security, like cameras.