It’s Gun Storage Check Week: Get Involved!
June is National Safety Month. For the first week of this month, NSSF has launched a brand-new campaign — Gun Storage Week — to remind gun owners to review their storage practices with the goal of preventing accidents, suicides and thefts. And there is an opportunity for dealers and ranges to get on board and promote the effort.
“Securely storing guns when they’re not in use can save lives. It’s really that simple,” said Joe Bartozzi, President and CEO of NSSF. “No one wants their gun in the hands of an unsupervised child, a person in crisis, someone who does not understand how to safely operate firearms, or a thief. If something bad happens because your gun isn’t stored securely, you’ll regret it, probably forever.”
Bartozzi said that Gun Storage Check Week is a time for firearm owners to make sure their guns are securely stored when not in use.
“Hiding a gun on top of a refrigerator or a closet shelf or in some other location is not a substitute for secure, locked storage,” Bartozzi emphasized. “Even if a firearm is kept for home security, there are devices such as lock boxes that allow readiness and at the same time deter unauthorized access.”
The Gun Storage Check Week campaign’s slogan is “Make Sure It’s Secure.” Gun Storage Check Week is a good time for parents to make sure firearms are not accessible to children during their summer break from school.
Secure Storage & Suicide Prevention
Each year more than half of all firearm-related fatalities are suicide deaths, and among veterans the rate tops 72%.
“Suicide is preventable,” said Bartozzi. “Gun owners and their families can save lives by becoming more open to discussing factors that contribute to suicide risk and by preventing access to firearms when someone is at risk. Supporting someone who is struggling and being respectful of the right to own firearms can go together.”
Gun Storage Check Week’s safety resources highlight many options to store firearms securely so that guns are off limits to unauthorized persons.
Secure gun storage devices include:
Gun Storage Check Week’s safety resources highlight many options to store firearms securely so that guns are off limits to unauthorized persons. Secure gun storage devices include:
Cable locks: often available free of charge, including through NSSF’s Project ChildSafe program
Lock boxes: a secure storage solution for guns kept for home security and in vehicles
Lockable gun cases: for security and portability
Full-size gun cabinets and safes: for owners with multiple firearms to protect, including against fire and theft.
Getting Involved
Dealers, ranges, organizations, companies, law enforcement and individuals can help increase the visibility of Gun Storage Check Week June 1–7 by using promotional materials available at GunStorageCheck.org. Gun Storage Check Week will repeat September 1–7 during National Suicide Prevention Month.
In addition, those who visit GunStorageCheck.org will be eligible to enter the Gun Storage Check Week Sweepstakes to win one of 25 ShotLock lock boxes, and they can gain extra entries to win by watching a firearm safety video.
For more info, and to access a promotional tool kit, visit: GunStorageCheck.org.
