DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. — Many people in the Mid-South have a gun in their homes, apartments and on the streets.
Unfortunately, they can sometimes wind up in children’s hands.
It’s why the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office is teaching young kids what to do if they see a gun.
“Just like when they’re young kids, they learn about stop, drop and roll. They remember that for the rest of their lives, so hopefully we can also teach them at a young age to stop, don’t touch, runaway, tell a grown-up,” said Alex Coker with the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office.
He is going to schools to teach kids what to do when they encounter a gun.
North Point Christian School asked Coker to come out Friday.
The NRA created the program in hopes to prevent accidental child shootings.
Sadly, they happen more than you think.
Last year across the county, at least 265 children under 18 picked up a gun and accidentally shot themselves or someone else, according to gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.
Some of those shootings happened here in the Mid-South.
“Here in the South everyone is raised around guns. I’m a strong proponent about learning about gun safety. There’s a time and a place for guns, but when they’re that young they don’t understand the consequences of that,” said Coker.
If you’re interested in DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office coming to your school, contact Coker at 662-469-8786 or email him at acoker@desotocountyms.gov.