The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office has investigated two incidents during the first three weeks of 2024 where children have gained access to loaded firearms. Both incidents resulted in injury. The investigations into these incidents are complete and detectives are consulting the District Attorney's Office concerning criminal charges. There will be a media update to these incidents later this week.

North Carolina law (14-315.1: “Storage of Firearms to Protect Minors”) requires that firearms are to be kept in a manner where an unsupervised minor will not be able to gain access to the firearms and cause harm to themselves or others. It is imperative that adults take responsibility and secure firearms from children. In addition to criminal penalties, the potential for lifelong injury or death are a reality that no child or family need endure.

For information on how to talk to children about gun safety, rules for safe gun storage and rules for safe gun handling, please visit the N.C. Department of Public Safety online at ncdps.gov/dps-services/safety-tips/gun-safety.