Yesterday, President Clinton added his support to a new, bipartisan bill which, if enacted, will impose severe penalties on firearms owners whose weapons are used by children to injure or threaten someone.

The Child Firearm Access Prevention Act would require up to a year in prison and a fine of $10,000 for anyone who fails to properly store their weapons or install safety locks if any child gains access to them and causes harm.

After Florida enacted a similar law, accidental shooting deaths in that state decreased by 50 percent.

Clinton also unveiled the new “Youth Handgun Safety Act Notice.”

This message must be displayed in all gunshops to notify gun owners of their responsibilities in preventing youth from gaining access to weapons.

Of course, the usual groups are crying foul over this proposal.

The National Rifle Association raises their tired old argument that trigger locks might seriously hamper an individual’s ability to defend himself in an emergency — as usual, ignoring the statistics.

The NRA also argues that most states already have laws which will hold an individual responsible if they are found to be grossly negligent in storing a firearm.

Another NRA argument is that a “one size fits all” solution cannot possibly meet the needs of all gun owners.

How many children need to accidentally shoot themselves or their friends while dad is out of the house?

How many high schools have to be turned into killing fields before we get our priorities straight enough to enact the simplest laws for our own protection?

How long must we listen to the NRA clamoring on about the precious rights of gun owners to NOT take reasonable precautions to keep guns out of the hands of children?

Even the staunchest critic of gun control should be able to see how this new bill not only avoids stepping on the toes of gun owners but goes so far to effectively protect children that it would be unconscionable not to pass it before the next school year begins.

This bi-partisan bill can ensure that there are no more incidents like Jonesboro.

All the rhetoric of the NRA cannot change that fact.