ACADIANA, LOUISIANA (KLFY) – Since 2015, there have been almost 350 child shootings in the U.S. 106 of those shootings have resulted in death.

“We’re seeing an uptake in juvenile offenders,” Captain John Babin, of the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, told KLFY.

As a pro-gun state, nearly forty-five percent of Louisiana households have a gun.

Louisiana is one of the states with the highest population of gun owners, according to CBS News.

“If a juvenile is looking to get his hands on a weapon, if he looks hard enough he will be able to find one,” Babin said.

In 2015, there were two-hundred and eighty-two child shooting in the U.S. In 2016, there have already been 38.

Two of those were in Louisiana.

The U.S. has one of the highest reported rates of unintentional child gun deaths in the world.

According to Everytownresearch.com, more than two-thirds of these tragedies could be avoided if gun owners stored their guns responsibly.

More than two million American children live in homes with guns that are not secure.

“Having a child it does bring that extra awarness, especially when you hear about these unintentional shootings that happen.,” said Lori Maraist, who is the Be SMART Campaign Leader for the Lousiana Chapter of Moms Demand Action.

On February 20, 16-year-old Darneisha Williams was shot in the head by her 16-year-old cousin during a family gathering.

The boy was showing off a gun he had when he discharged the weapon, killing Williams.

He was arrested and charged with negligent injuring and illegal possession of a firearm.

“Really think about it, every gun that ends up in the hands of a child, it must first pass through the hands of an adult. and we’re the ones who have the power to be responsible gun owners. So let’s do what we can to responsible and help spread the word,” Maraist said.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense spokesperson Lori Maraist wanted to get involved, after close friend Jillian Johnson died in the Grand Theatre Shooting back in July.

“I think it just brought this awareness to the issue. So we just wanted to do something to be apart of the change.” said Maraist

She said protecting her daughter’s future became her main focus.

“Even if you’re not a gun owner, or even if you’re a responsible gun owner there is a very good chance your child could be going play at someone’s house that doesn’t have a secure gun,” said Maraist

The local Acadiana chapter of MDA says they don’t want Louisiana residents to give up their right to bear arms.

“This is South East Louisiana, so I support the second amendment wholeheartedly,” Maraist said.

Instead, they want to encourage gun owners to remember the importance of locking their guns up and keeping them out of the hands of children.

“We just never know, I mean we have curious kids. Smart kids and bright kids that, of course, we should also teach not to touch a handgun, but we can’t just leave the responsibility up to them,” said Maraist

Maraist says many women believe the best way to keep children away from guns, in addition to locking them up is to involve them in community organizations.

“The kids that we serve are considered at risk or come from disadvantaged circumstances and that can be as simple as a kid who comes home every day and maybe mom and dad are at work. So the boys and girls club can be that outlet, that safe haven,” said Brian Ford

Brian Ford, who is the Chief Operating Officer of the Boys and Girls Club Acadiana, says the it is one of many local organizations that keeps kids out of trouble.

“If we can help them at a young age grow into caring and productive citizens that’s going to help the community. It’s less of a load on our system if they aren’t in the court system and they have a good job,” Ford said.

Moms Demand Action stands behind the belief that any child’s death unintentionally caused by gun violence is not an accident.

That it is always preventable.