JACKSON, Mich. — By some estimates, as many as 3 million American children live in a home with unlocked, loaded guns. Often times those children are seriously injured or killed by playing with them.
R.A.F.T. Kicking Brass Gun Range &Training Facility in Jackson County is working to make sure those children don't turn into a statistic. The facility is located at 2881 N. Portage Rd, Jackson
MI 49201
News 10 talked to the people teaching kids what to do when they see a gun. The facility teached them to stop, don't touch, run away, and go find an adult. That can be the difference between saving a life and avoiding serious injury.
"This is a message that we want everyone one to hear, and repeat it," said Samantha Rand, R.A.F.T Kickin Brass Gun Range & Training Facility
The NRA Eddie Eagle child gun safety programs are for all ages, mostly focused around pre-K to fourth grade. No physical guns are shown or brought to the class.
Instead, a scene is played out on a cartoon, that plays a catchy song that says " stop, don't touch, run away and tell a grown up."
Those lyrics are the main point the facility wants to drive home.
"We're not here to be pro-gun or anti-gun with the children, just basically if you see a gun don't touch it, don't play with it," said Samantha. It's also a lesson for parents on responsibility and awareness.
"Children are inquisitive, and it's not 'hey don't touch that.' The minute you turn your back they are going to go get it. It's like hiding cookies on top of the refrigerator, they are going to find a way to get up there," said Joe Rand, R.A.F.T Kickin Brass Gun Range & Training Facility
It was one Jackson County sheriff's deputy's tragedy that got this program started, a few years ago.
"Who had just left his home, he didn't even get into work by the time he found out that his son had been killed by a gun that he climbed up on his dresser, where he couldn't reach. And found the gun and it was a deadly accident and heartbreaking," said Joe.
The facilityencourage kids and parents to come back again and again.
"Builds muscle memory, they remember things better. We get parents calling us up all the time saying my kid won't stop singing the song. Which is good because then their friends start hearing the song and they start singing it, and the parents start signing it. It's like one of those songs that you can't get out of your head," said Joe.
The range offers the Eddie Eagle program the first Thursday of every other month, starting back up April 4th at 6 PM.
It's completely free and dinner and treats are provided. After the session kids walk away with a certificate of completion
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