LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) --  Accidental shootings are sending dozens of kids to the hospital in downtown Louisville each year.

"A child finding a gun and exploring it and accidently shooting themselves or someone else is 100% preventable," said Dr. Naomi Warnick at Norton Children's Hospital. But still, these injuries are happening.

According to Norton Children's, it has seen nine pediatric patients (17-years-old and under) injured in accidental shootings so far this year. Here's how that compares to previous years with gunshot wound (GSW) patients:

  • 2023: 53 accidental, 81.5% of all GSW patients
  • 2022: 56 accidental, 82.4% of all GSW patients
  • 2021: 68 accidental, 81.9% of all GSW patients
  • 2020: 64 accidental, 85.3% of all GSW patients
  • 2019: 40 accidental, 83.3% of all GSW patients 

Note: Other shooting injuries that make up the entirety of GSW seen each year are categorized as assault, intentional self-harm or unknown.

"The injuries range from a soft tissue injury to the leg, to a fatal shooting to the chest or to the face, and anything in between," Warnick explained. 

Friday is "ASK Day." It stands for Asking Saves Kids Day. Across the country, parents and caretakers are reminded to ask: "Is there an unlocked gun where my child plays?"

According to Norton Children's Hospital, ASK Day is a national awareness campaign led by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Brady Center. It's held annually on June 21, which is the first day of summer. 

"A big component of that is making sure that firearms are securely stored around our children, wherever they are. So that means if they're going over to someone's house for a playdate, or a family member's house for dinner, or someone's house for childcare, asking to make sure that firearms are securely stored wherever our children are," said Warnick. 

Community members working to prevent violence in the city said this type of communication is crucial.

"If we don't have that conversation, then it's never going to be had or it's going to be had recklessly," said Grandmaster Khalid Raheeem, who runs a martial arts academy in the city.

Experts said even if children have been exposed to firearms from a young age, it is still essential to always store guns locked, unloaded, and separately from ammunition.

Alex Passamonte, who works at Norton Children's Hospital in Prevention and Wellness, added that guns should be kept out of reach and out of sight of children. 

"Avoid nightstands, nightstand drawers, under mattresses, under pillows, underneath closets like in shoeboxes -- that's pretty popular -- so you want to avoid those areas," Passamonte said.  

She leads virtual classes throughout the year on safe storage, focusing on keeping medications and firearms locked away. She said the next class is in October, and participants will be mailed a free trigger lock. 

"Once this is on, the trigger will not be able to be pulled," Passamonte said, demonstrating how to use the lock.

Many in the hospital are already wearing ASK Day t-shirts and raising awareness about the day. The effort hopes to encourage parents to start the conversation about gun storage and safety when their child is visiting someone's house. 

Alex Passamonte with Norton Children's Hospital demonstrates how to use a trigger lock

Alex Passamonte with Norton Children's Hospital demonstrates how to use a trigger lock. (WDRB image from June 19,2024) 

Guidelines offered by Norton Children's for ASK Day conversations include: 

  • Include it with other safety-related topics like pets, allergies and supervision. 
  • Choose an appropriate time and place.
  • Be respectful and nonjudgmental.
  • Bring up current events to show your concern for the topic. 
  • Share your own practices about how firearms are stored in your own home. 
  • Offer resources and information and suggest educational materials. 

Raheem said it's important to stay ahead of busy children, and he is part of a separate program planning to give away safety locks later this month. 

"Gun locks are very important, those safety locks, or having a safe. Because kids can get into anything," he said.

According to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in homes with access to an unlocked or unsupervised gun. Every year thousands of kids are injured or killed as a result. It said asking a simple question could save a life.

For a direct link to the upcoming "Safe Kids, Safe Storage" class through Norton Children's, call 502-629-7358 or click here. 

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