No matter what we say or what we do, there is nothing that can be done to get back Haley Moore.

The 5-year-old LaPlace girl all too briefly became a state story when she was killed May 21 while playing with a loaded firearm.

The tragedy was shocking. Like in all of St. John the Baptist Parish, the family of staff members here at L’OBSERVATEUR were instantly crestfallen. Most of us are parents, and there is nothing worse for parents than the thought of losing a child.

Regional media outlets covered the story because it was certainly newsworthy, but other tragedies have occurred since — a 5-year-old Metairie girl drowned in a pool May 25 — and most news agencies outside of LaPlace have done their last work in regards to Haley Moore.

It does not have to be that way. We can’t do anything to bring her back, but there certainly are things we can do to reduce the chances of something like this happening again. In the days after the tragedy, St. John Parish Councilman Buddy Boe, who’s District includes the neighborhood where the tragedy took place, said the shooting reminds everyone that life is precious.

He stressed the right to have guns was an important aspect of being an American; however, adding it’s more important to make sure guns are operated in a safe manner.

He advises families to recheck the weapons in their possession to make sure “an incident like this doesn’t touch their homes.”

“I can’t imagine the horror and grief the family is going through,” Boe said. “Let’s just hope that other families take note, really take pause and make sure that their homes are a safe environment for their children.”

Maybe it’s time to look into setting up storage and safety requirements for guns. We, as Americans, enjoy an awesome right and responsibility when it comes to gun ownership, something passed down for generations from our very forefathers.

Whether compelled through law or personal responsibility, we must all do our part to make sure the firearms in our homes are as secure as possible.

Let’s make sure we never forget the unfortunate lesson Haley Moore’s death taught us.