Children keep accessing unsecured guns. What is the state doing to help?

At least nine North Carolina children were shot this year, because of one very preventable cause: an unsecured gun. The victims span the state from the mountains to the coast, and, according to data analyzed by WRAL Investigates, ranged in age from 2 to 7 years old. Four of the children died from their injuries. WRAL has covered several of these shootings in recent months, including two 4-year-old boys who shot themselves in Durham in November. 

Through a program called NC SAFE, the state is hoping to get those numbers to zero. 

"NC SAFE stands for secure all firearms effectively," explained William Lassiter, deputy secretary for the NC Department of Public Safety. "We’re providing gun locks across the sate of North Carolina. We’ve distributed 130,000 of those gun locks. We are doing public service announcements. We’ve partnered with pediatricians so that at well checks parents are getting information about gun locks and the importance of safe storage."

WRAL has been covering the issue of children accessing unsecured guns for years, including in a WRAL documentary "Unsafe" that aired last year.

WRAL Investigates asked Lassiter if the program, which started two years ago, is working.

"We partnered with [the Research Triangle Institute] on whether or not the messaging is working," he said. "The initial data we’ve gotten back is, so it was about 50% of households across the state of NC did not safely store firearms. We’ve actually seen that drop to about 40% now. So we’ve seen a 10% drop since the campaign started two years ago."

Lassiter, who serves on the state's Child Fatality Task Force, said it recommends changes in legislation to stiffen penalties against the adults who allow children access to the weapons. 

"We think the charge itself needs to be upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony," he said. 

Democrats in the state Senate proposed that earlier this year, yet Republican members voted it down. 

WRAL Investigates: Why a Durham mother faces child abuse charges after her 4-year-old son shot himself

WRAL Investigates analyzed the charges for the adults in each case, noting wide discrepancies, with some charged only with a misdemeanor for not properly storing a firearm, and others facing more serious charges like involuntary manslaughter and second degree murder. 

Attorney Daniel Meier explains that two things typically indicate what charges adults face: their relationship with the child (with a parent or guardian likely facing more serious charges) and who the child shot -- themselves or someone else -- with the latter likely carrying more severe legal consequences for the adult.

For example, a 3-year-old in Mebane fatally shot himself, and his parents faced only misdemeanor charges for improper storage of firearms. Yet, in Henderson, when a 3-year-old killed a 5-year-old, the mother was charged with second-degree murder. 

Meier also explained that prosecutors have discretion on how they choose to charge. 

"A lot of the more serious charges really depend on the facts of the case," he explained.

Around the holiday time, when children may be in family members' homes, Lassiter stresses the importance of ensuring that all guns in the homes are safely stored.

Understand gun safety, store firearms safely 

Learn about how to store your firearms safely at home and on the go, how to talk to your children about gun safety and how to make sure that schools and playdates are a safe environment from NC S.A.F.E.

Download a free gun safety kit or request a free gun lock from Project Child Safe.

Police departments, sheriff's offices distribute free gun locks

Raleigh Police Department: Residents can get a free gunlock at their local Raleigh Police Department districts Monday through Friday from either 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Wake County Sheriff's Office: You can pick a free gun lock up at the front desk of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office at 330 S. Salisbury St. between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 

Chapel Hill Police Department: People can stop by Chapel Hill Police Headquarters at 7300 Millhouse Road any time between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to pick up a free gun lock.

Orange County Sheriff's Office: The Orange County Sheriff's Office has free gun locks available in a box in the lobby. Pick one up anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Durham County courthouse: Free gun locks are available in the lobby of the Durham County courthouse during regular business hours.