COLUMBUS, Ohio — This fall in central Ohio, two children have died after incidents involving unsecured firearms.

In September, a Columbus 3-year-old passed away after police say he fatally shot himself with a gun that had been placed behind his mother’s mattress. The child’s mother is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge and another adult is charged with having a gun he was not legally allowed to own.

In early October, a Lancaster 9-year-old died. Family members told police the boy was playing with a gun and shot himself. That incident remains under investigation.

Firearms are the leading cause of death in children in the United States, according to the CDC.

When gun owners safely secure firearms, tragedy can be prevented, according to Eric Delbert, owner of L.E.P.D. Firearms

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