Safe Firearm Storage Saves Lives

In the United States, 4.6 million children live in a home with at least one loaded and unsecured firearm.

Safe gun storage must be a community priority. Studies show that secure, separate storage of firearms and ammunition is associated with a 78% decreased risk of self-inflicted gun injuries and an 85% decreased risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children. Of youth who die by firearm suicide, 90% access the gun in their own home or a relative’s home.

Children’s hospitals and health systems are partnering with community organizations to advance safe gun storage. These partnerships bring together diverse stakeholders — law enforcement, educators, retailers, and nonprofits — to provide secure firearm education and storage options.

Police departments and shooting ranges 

Children’s Nebraska has increased its focus on gun safety over the past two years as part of the Zero Suicide framework. Every family of a patient presenting suicidal thoughts or behaviors is asked if they have firearms in their home. When they say “yes,” the hospital works with the family to determine the best safe storage option for them. Some patient families shared that they feel safest with guns removed permanently or temporarily from their homes.

Social workers at Children’s Nebraska partnered with the Omaha Police Department and local shooting ranges to offer families secure firearm storage options outside the home.  The police department allows community members to store guns at their facility as long as they are not illegal or stolen. The hospital also promotes Omaha Police events such as Firearm Amnesty Days, where citizens can drop off guns and ammunition with no questions asked.

Shooting ranges will store firearms for a designated time for free or a small fee.

Law enforcement and shooting ranges play an important role in supporting safe storage. These organizations are crucial touchpoints for gun owners, making them ideal partners to improve awareness of and access to safe storage options.

Early learning centers 

Manning Family Children's has made great strides in community engagement for firearm safety by building a program that leverages data-driven interventions and local partnerships.

In collaboration with the New Orleans Health Department’s Office of Violence Prevention, grassroots organizations, and the BeSMART campaign, Manning Family Children's uses gun violence rates and census data to strategically target neighborhoods with high levels of gun violence and significant populations of households with children.

Early learning centers provide an opportunity to engage with families and ensure children are protected in homes where guns are present. Through these partnerships and outreach events, the hospital has distributed more than 500 free biometric safes. Community survey data revealed that these safes, which only open with the owner's fingerprint, are highly appealing to gun owners due to their ease of use and security, making them an ideal option to encourage secure storage.

Retailers 

Firearm retailers are uniquely positioned to educate customers on responsible ownership and storage.

Seattle Children’s partners with sporting goods stores for purchase of safe gun storage devices that are then distributed through the hospital and at community events. Survey results from gun owners showed sporting goods locations are a top choice to get safe storage resources.

Photo Credit: Seattle Children's

The hospital refers gun owners to sporting goods stores where they can receive a discount on a wider variety of locking devices through the Lock It Up program.

“Our sporting goods partners share a common goal of promoting safe firearm storage and keeping communities safe,” said Isabell Sakamoto, Community Health manager. “It’s a win-win when we host an event at a sporting goods store because it provides a space to provide education and resources where firearm owners feel comfortable.”

BeSMART 

Multiple hospitals use resources from BeSMART to promote responsible gun ownership in order to reduce child deaths. Messaging emphasizes the importance of secure firearm storage to parents, caretakers, and community leaders to keep guns out of the hands of kids.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital included QR codes linking to BeSMART resources when they placed free firearm cable locks near reception desks.

Children’s of Alabama and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh use the campaign’s educational materials for safe storage education in clinic and community settings.

Advocate for prevention of firearm access

Secure gun storage saves lives. While some states have laws requiring secure storage, there are no federal policies. Community partnerships and creative approaches to gun safety are paramount to protecting every child’s life.

Learn more about how children’s hospitals are working together to make communities safe for kids to grow and thrive.