Duke Health talking about gun safeguards

Parents are likely to encounter a different type of question during their children's health visits at Duke University Health System's pediatric clinics these days: Do you need a gun lock?

As part of a joint effort by Durham County and Duke, pediatricians are talking to parents not only about the safety of guns in families' homes but also about safeguards in places where children visit.

"It involves not only asking, 'Do you have a gun in the house where the child lives?', but also, 'What about family members and friends?' and 'What about other households where the children may visit or stay during the weekend?'" said Dr. Sara Robert a Duke pediatrician and professor.

The American Pediatric Association, which advocates for limiting children's access to guns, estimates that more than 168,000 children across North Carolina live in residences with loaded guns, and more than 82,000 children are in homes with loaded, unlocked guns.

DOES THIS APPROACH WORK? Yes, according to research published last week in the journal Pediatrics. Families who received counseling during well-child visits were significantly more likely to store guns safely than a control group, research showed.

WHAT'S UP TODAY? Duke pediatricians will be at the Duke Health Center at 4020 N. Roxboro St. today, starting at 9 a.m. to talk to children and families about gun safety. At the health center, and at Duke clinics at 3024 Pickett Road and 6301 Herndon Road, display tables will offer brochures, magnets, stickers and free gun locks.

WHAT DO TRIANGLE GUN-RIGHTS ADVOCATES SAY? Martie Schulte, a chief range safety officer for the National Rifle Association, said asking about neighbors' gun practices is intrusive and puts responsibility in the wrong hands.

"What I would do is educate the parent and the child on home firearm safety -- on what to do in any situation if they see a firearm," Schulte said. "That way you don't have to rely on all this information on Johnny's family or Joey's family."