I am writing to urge you to support L.D. 759 (the Safe Storage Bill). I taught in the Richmond school system for 30 years, and was both terrified and saddened to read about last month’s gun incident at the Marcia Buker Elementary School (“Richmond police respond to elementary school for student who brought loaded gun to school,” April 6).

I was terrified because someone could have been killed, and saddened to think about all the children, parents, and educators that were confronted with this very real, very threatening experience. I doubt any will forget it.

It is very scary to realize how many of our children have access to guns in their own homes. The parents may be very well intentioned, but the child cannot be expected to have the same understanding of the seriousness of handling a firearm.

The other terrifying unintended consequence of not securing firearms is that young people may use the gun against themselves. Teen suicide continues to be the second-leading cause of death for Mainers ages 12-24, and firearms are the most used method in teen suicides.

Requiring safe storage of firearms will save our children’s lives, what could be more important than that?
Please contact your Maine state senator and representative and ask them to vote yes on L.D. 759.

Mary Kane
Hallowell

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