• 4.6 million children live in homes with access to an unlocked or unsupervised gun
• 75% of kids know where a gun is stored in their home
• 1 in 5 kids has handled a gun when an adult wasn’t around

(Source: https://brady-static.s3.amazonaws.com/EFF_ASK.pdf)

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that the safest home for a child is one without guns
• If you do decide to keep guns in the home, all guns should be locked and unloaded with ammunition locked separately
• Before your child visits another home (family, friends, playdate), ask about guns and safe storage. Just as you’d ask about pets, allergies, supervision, and other safety issues, add one more important question: “Is there an unlocked gun in your house?”

(Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Handguns-in-the-Home.aspx)

University of Michigan Injury Center Flyer

Finding the right words can be hard. Here's a start:

• "I don't mean any disrespect, but knowing how curious my child can be, I feel I have to ask this question."
• "I hope you don't mind me asking if you have a firearm in your home and if it is properly stored."
• "Mom, Dad, ______, this is awkward for me and I mean no disrespect. I am concerned Susie will find one of the firearms in your home when we visit. Do you keep them locked up with the ammunition stored separately?"

(Source: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/violence-injury-prevention/violence-prevention/gun-violence/LOCK-IT-UP/parents-community.aspx)

As families grow and circumstances expand, here are other questions to ASK to prevent family fire:

• Parents dropping off their kids for a playdate:  “My kid is pretty curious, and our doctor recommended that I ask — is there an unlocked gun where my child will play?”
• Teens taking their first babysitting job:  “Is there an unlocked and/or loaded gun in your home?”
• Young adults moving into a group home:  “Does anyone own a gun? If so, how is it stored?”
• When considering the care of an elderly family member, especially those who may suffer from a form of dementia:  “Do we need to rethink how we safely store the guns?”

(Source: https://www.bradyunited.org/program/end-family-fire/asking-saves-kids)

Additional Resources:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• Brady Campaign's Asking Saves Kids Program to End Family Fire
• JAMA Pediatrics
• King County Department of Public Health
• New Hampshire Firearm Safety Coalition
• UC Davis "What Can You Do" Handout for Families
• Family Guide to Home Firearm Safety During COVID-19
• Parent's Guide to Home Firearm Safety
• Moms Demand Action
• BeSmart For Kids
  

Children of ALL ages are naturally curious about guns. Holding regular conversations will remove the mystery and help them understand what guns are, how they work, and how they can keep themselves safe (very well family).

• Project ChildSafe provides videos and resources to help speak to your child at any age

• Visit verywellfamily.com for additional information on how to talk to kids about guns

Preventable Tragedies

• Shootings by children are most often also shootings of children
• 7 of 10 unintentional child shootings occur in the home of the child or a family member's home
• Store gun in a locked location, unloaded, out of the reach and sight of children
• Store ammunition in a separate locked location
• Keep the keys and combinations in a safe location
• Make sure all guns are equipped with effective child resistant gun locks
• Talk to your child about the difference between TV and video games versus real life
• Teach kids never to touch a gun and to immediately tell an adult

Firearm Safety

In homes with guns, the risk of suicide increases five times, and the risk of homicide increases three times over the rate of homes with no guns. American Academy of Pediatrics (2020).

4.6 Million American Children:

• Live in homes with guns that are both loaded and unlocked
• Talk to children and assume they know where the guns are stored
• Lock and unload, separating locations where the gun and ammunition is securely kept
• Ask other parents if they have firearms in the home? Are they secure and away from children?

• Nationwide, approximately 1 person dies every 11 minutes by suicide. In 2019, 50% of all gun-related deaths in the U.S. were suicides

(Source: https://suicidology.org/facts-and-statistics/)

• Firearms are used in half of all suicide deaths
• 9/10 Suicide attempts by firearm result in death

(Source: https://preventfirearmsuicide.efsgv.org/about-firearm-suicide/statistics)

• Secure storage means storing all of your guns unloaded and secured, such as locked with a cable or trigger lock, or in a gun safe.

(Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues)

Secure Your Firearms

One unintentional shooting occurs every day by a child acquiring access to a firearm and shooting themselves or someone else. Storing firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition will prevent these tragedies.

(Source: Everytown, (2022). Secure gun storage: What does it solve.)

Remember to Unload, Lock, and Securely Store Your firearms & Store Firearm(s) and Ammunition Separately!

There has been an average of nearly one unintentional shooting by a child acquiring access to firearms and shooting themselves or someone else every day in the last five years. The month of June has the highest rate of unintentional firearm injuries, and weekends are 1.5 times more dangerous than weekdays for young people. Storing firearms securely unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition will help prevent firearm tragedies. (Everytown,2020).

If you or someone in your home suffering from depression and have access to a firearm? Each year 59-60 % of firearm deaths are from suicide. For every 100 hospital visits, three result from attempted suicide by gun, either fatal or non-fatal. Removing the firearm from the home to prevent access in times of mental crisis will make the difference between life and death. If someone in your home is having a mental health crisis, ask your local police department if they can Store your firearm with a trusted family member or friend or have your local police department hold it for you or your family member or friend. (Everytown,2020).

(Source: Everytown, (2021). A More Complete Picture: The Contours of Gun Injury in the United States. Everytown for Gun Safety and Support Fund)

Gun Locks

• Locked boxes are far preferable to other types of gun locks such as cable and trigger locks because they fully contain the gun so that children cannot see what is inside and because they offer stronger protection
• You can contact your local trauma center, local health department, fire department or police department to ask about a free gun lock for your home
• Since 2005, if you purchase a gun in the US, you’re going to be given a free gun lock - it’s a federal law. But, many gun safety experts don't believe the most popular kind of these locks are effective at keeping people, especially older children, from gaining access - gunsandamerica.org
• Gun locks can also be purchased from various retailers. Trigger locks cost $10-75, Cable locks $0-50, Lock box $25-350

(Source: https://besmartforkids.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Be-SMART-Secure-Storage-Comparison-FINAL.pdf)