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Jun 12, 2008 10:48 pm US/Central
Parents Have Good Reason To Push For Gun Safety
BUFFALO, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Brandon Lanie was 14-years-old when another hunter mistook him for a deer off Lake Mille Lacs, and then shot and killed him.
CBS
The parents of a young man killed in a hunting accident want everyone to act safer in their son's memory.
Since starting the non-profit, BLESS, Brandon Lanie's parents have been pushing for more people to take gun safety courses. This weekend, they'll be taking their message to Buffalo Days in Buffalo, Minn.
On top of food, fun and carnival rides, there will be firearms safety training for parents and their children, sponsored by BLESS which stands for Brandon Lanie Ethical Sportsmen Society.
"Absolutely in his honor," said Brandon's dad, Troy. "Brandon lived, ate and breathed the outdoors. I mean, he'd want something like this to happen in his name."
Not a day goes by that Troy doesn't think about Brandon. June days make it especially hard for him, knowing he and Brandon should be fishing on Buffalo Lake together.
Brandon was 14-years-old when another hunter mistook him for a deer off Lake Mille Lacs, and then shot and killed him.
Instead of dwelling on the death, Troy's doing something in his son's name. It's the second year Troy and the group has sponsored a booth at the festival in Buffalo.
"Safety. We feel it's a strong need," said Troy.
The seminar is free and will take place in Sturges Park on the bank of Buffalo Lake. The Wright County Sheriff and local firearm safety experts will all talk about the basics of firearm safety.
Troy will also be there and hopes hunters will become more interested in gun safety and get their certification.
"The sport of hunting is only going to be around if the next generation picks it up and does it right, and that's the type of thing we're promoting," said Troy.
Gun locks will be given out to hunters, and rules and regulations for children will be talked about.
"Promoting the ethics and the outdoors. Starting there. It's our future," said Troy. "We have the kids who are younger than firearm safety age, pushing them to sign a contract with their parents what to do if they see a firearm lying around at their house."
Brandon was killed because of someone's unsafe act. This is his father's way of keeping another father from grieving like he still is.
"If we prevent one death, one accident, one mistake, it's worth everything we did," said Troy.
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