Multiple Greater Cincinnati efforts on several fronts working to avoid child gun tragedies

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The prosecutor said a woman and her boyfriend will both face charges after a toddler accidentally shot himself.

The 2-year-old is recovering at the hospital as of Wednesday night. The boy got ahold of a gun at an apartment in University Heights.

The incident has raised more questions about what's being done to keep children safe.

Local 12 investigated the efforts being made to keep guns out of the wrong hands. In fact, the Cincinnati Public Libraries launched a new program where they're now giving out gun locks free of charge.

City Councilmember Anna Albi recently released a video announcing the new library program. She said one of the most important things the city can do is get the word out.

“Better and more communication around secure firearm storage,” said Albi. “Really focusing on adults and what it means to be a responsible gun owner, and making sure we're getting gun locks out into the community.”

Councilmember Scotty Johnson agrees:

“Babies and children shouldn't have to worry about being safe.”

He added that Cincinnati has passed several gun ordinances, including one that requires safe storage of firearms -- specifically making them inaccessible to children. It's been in effect since last February.

“Is there a way to be more aggressive with the city’s prosecution of these cases?” Local 12 asked Johnson.

“I think right now we’re doing everything that we can,” said Johnson.

And it appears the city is doing everything it can. The solicitor has now filed 10 cases under the safe storage ordinance -- six are awaiting prosecution -- instances like a loaded gun left under a pillow with a toddler in the bed, or leaving a loaded gun unsecured in a living room with a child in the house.

Several of the cases are awaiting a court of appeals decision that's determining whether the city's ordinances conflict with state law.\

“This should never happen,” said Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers. “A child should never have access to a firearm.”

Powers said in this latest “toddler with a gun” case, the gun was stolen. She said legal gun owners need to keep their guns more secure.

“In this case it was a stolen firearm,” said Powers. “So again, we’re talking, where is the responsible gun ownership. How did the firearm get onto the streets so somebody could obtain this thing?"

Gun advocate Dean Rieck with the Buckeye Firearms Association said he supports two bills before the Ohio Legislature that would eliminate sales tax from gun safes and give tax breaks for people who buy safes or take gun safety classes.

“We support these because unlike most bills that're introduced to try to punish gun owners, these ones give gun owners an incentive to be safe with their firearms and get training,” said Rieck.

Both bills are currently in committee awaiting testimony.

The two cases before the First Court of Appeals regarding Cincinnati laws are awaiting a decision, But they will likely end up at the State Supreme Court.

Regarding gun locks at the libraries, there are limited supplies. Make sure to call first so that your library has a chance to replenish if it's running low. Meanwhile, through all of these efforts, we hold our collective breaths, just hoping more toddlers don't get their hands on more guns.