PATASKALA, Ohio - A philosopher once said those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.
"This isn't an easy thing to talk about with your kids," Karen Melroy-Oiler said. "Especially considering some of the scary situations and the scary headlines that have been in the news lately."
In December 2019, a 911 call said Noelle Massuros was shot and killed by her brother after finding a gun that was left out at their Pataskala home. The father has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Noelle was 2 years old.
In late January, a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed by a 15-year-old friend. Police records say one teen pointed the gun at the other to distract him from playing a video game and then pulled the trigger. The other teen is now charged with reckless homicide.
Pataskala Mayor Mike Compton knew he had to act quickly.
"The earlier we can teach kids and anybody about gun safety, because there's a lot of guns in Licking County [and] there's a lot of guns in Pataskala," Compton said.
It's why Compton, the city of Pataskala, the police department and The Bullet Ranch want to offer education through classes to go over firearm safety.
Two classes were last week. Two more were Tuesday night.
"You know, we've always had the battle with teaching them gun safety," Jerika Zuckerman said.
Zuckerman brought her four children to the first meeting, Tuesday evening. Her children range in age from 8 to 13.
"With everything that has gone on in Pataskala...we've had two fatalities, recently, it was just a reminder," she said.
Zuckerman says though her house has firearms they are locked up and away from her children. Still, she says, the class Pataskala offers is worth it.
"Should they ever encounter something, I want them to know how to deal with it and I want them to be fully prepared for it," Zuckerman said.
Preparing for the future while learning from the past hoping not to repeat it.
Compton says he is looking at doing these free events every year for the public. He also wants to get in Pataskala schools to talk about gun safety with students.