Gun Accidents Peak Christmas to New Year's

PLANO, Texas - Nov. 29, 2017 - PRLog -- Gatling Gun Rescue™ is working to help prevent accidental shootings that reportedly spike during the holidays.

According to a December 2016 analysis by The Associated Press and the USA TODAY Network, "Children and teenagers are out of school for the holidays and have access to unsecured guns at their homes and those of relatives and friends." *

Gatling Gun Rescue, seeking to make homes safer – one gun at a time -- is a free, confidential service that provides in-home removal and disposal of unwanted firearms.

"We strongly support the Texas law requiring gun owners to restrict firearms access to  anybody under the age of 17," said Gatling founder Bob Wieland, a Texas license to carry instructor since 1995.

"If the gun owner is unable or unwilling to do that, we encourage them to give the gun to a friend or relative who appreciates the responsibility and understands how to handle the gun safely," he said. "If nobody is available to take the gun, we will pick it up for free."

According to the AP report, other factors contributing to the holiday spike in accidental shootings include gifts of new guns and the consumption of alcohol, which could make adults inattentive to gun safety or their children. Hunting is another factor contributing to shooting accidents, the report said.

The accidental shooting toll did not include deaths and injuries involving guns fired into the air to celebrate the New Year, the AP said.

Gatling Gun Rescue is bonded and holds a Federal Firearms License for collecting curios and relics. There is no charge for picking up an unwanted gun.

Appropriate guns may be sold to law enforcement officers. Non-functioning guns are broken down for parts. Guns that are collectible or of value to hunters are sold through gun stores since Gatling does not maintain a storefront and does not sell to the general public.

More information and a contact form are available at www.gatling.biz .

*The AP story may be found at: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/dec/21/accidental-shooting-deaths-injuries-spike-over-the/