Each Christmas, there are children around America who unwrap a new, non-powder gun. These guns include BB, pellet, and paintball. While many parents may believe such guns to be harmless, and even see them as a toy, statistics suggest otherwise. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, over 20,000 injuries result from these types of guns each year, with four percent of them requiring hospitalization.

“These guns are not toys at all, and they can certainly do damage both to people and to animals,” explains Robert Misseri, president of Guardians of Rescue, an organization dedicated to helping animals in need. “In our line of work, we have seen it often – kids who shoot at animals just for fun, and leave them distressed and injured. These guns create problems that parents are not even usually aware of.”

Here are 5 tips for parents who may have a child with one of these non-powder guns, or who are considering getting one for them:

BETHESDA, Md. (WUSA) -- Montrose Christian is yet again ranked amongst the top teams nationally and locally in basketball. Watch this year's passionate bunch, and there is no question as to why that is the case for the Mustangs this season.

Montrose Christian players are traditionally known for their length and athleticism. Intimidation set in immediately for their Wednesday night opponent, Ceaser Chavez, the moment both teams took the floor. Stifling defensive play was the centerpiece in the Mustangs' 52-30 trouncing of Chavez.

An annual indicator of a blowout in basketball is when each bench player on the team gets the opportunity to check in at the scorers table and confirm his defensive assignment with the teammate he's replacing. Such was the case Wednesday night for the Mustangs, who looked to be trying new lineups against a 5-10 Ceaser Chavez team that most recently suffered a 92-55 annihilation to DeMatha.

Washington, D.C.- Jeannie "Kitty of the City” Jones, media personality of WPGC 95.5/Fox 5 News and Ready Set Impact, a multi-media company, hosted  “Grant My Wish” holiday event with her Grant My Wish Foundation December 21st  through the 23rd.  

This weekend long event began on Friday and featured a 24 hour drive at the 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue Starbucks  along with WPGC their radio partner. Rapper T.I. made a special appearance along with US Marines to assist with the toy collection.