AUGUSTA, Ga. () – According to the Harlem Police Department, a three-year-old in Harlem found a gun in his father’s bedroom and shot himself in the shoulder. The Father, Spencer Johnson, a firefighter at Augusta Fire and EMA, was arrested for Cruelty to children in the 2nd degree.

“In this particular case, it was a three-year-old, and we don t realize what a three-year-old can truly get into, and I feel terrible for the family because there’s no way in the world,” said Steven Fishman, Sidney’s Department Store, and Uniforms. “They would have thought themselves reckless in this matter. But a simple thing like a gun lock. Which they give you free with every gun purchase by law could literally have stopped this entire scenario.”

The child was transported to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

“Every year, 350 children living in America under the age of 18 gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else,” said Ellie Benson, Moms Demand Action. “Like a sibling, a parent, a friend, or another person. We all need to be worrying about this. Whether it’s your gun or not.”

It is essential to take extra safety measures so a gun does not get into the hands of a child.

“A lockable gun case and out the firearm, loaded or not, into the gun case. Where the firearm is not accessible, nor can that child see it. It takes the image away from the child, and it takes the curiosity away,” said Fishman.

There are many ways to secure your gun safely, like using a gun lock, a gun case, or a safe to keep the gun away from your child.

“Guns are the number one killer of children. So, it’s our responsibility as adults to keep our children and the children in our community safe. That’s why it’s so crucial that we have secure storage in our homes,” said Benson.

Guns can be dangerous weapons and need to be taken seriously, especially with children in the home.

“If you are reckless about the way that you store them or have them in your house. Injuries can happen,” said Fishman.