Project ChildSafe 6/2010
Every household can take the following precautions to help protect their children and the community from gun violence. Talk with your child about guns, not only the ones that may be in your home but may be in the homes of their friends. Stress the dangers involved and the difference between toy guns and real ones. Most important be sure your child understands what to do if they come in contact with a gun:
- Always assume any gun you see has bullets in it
- Don’t touch it under any circumstances
- Get away from the gun as quickly as possible
- Tell an adult immediately
Project ChildSafe
Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of key safety education messages and free gun locking devices.
For more about Project ChildSafe visit: www.projectchildsafe.org
Where to get your free Firearm Safety Kit
Project ChildSafe distributes free firearm safety kits through law enforcement departments and other agencies in your state. Visit the Project ChildSafe web site for distribution locations.
Quick Facts about Children and Guns
Information taken from national surveys:
- In 2004, there were 13,846 children injured by a firearm -- and an additional 15,214 children were injured from BB or pellet guns.
- 34% of children in the United States (representing more than 22 million children in 11 million homes) live in homes with at least one firearm. In 69% of homes with firearms and children, more than one firearm is present.
- 1.69 million children aged 18 and under in the United States are living with loaded and unlocked household firearms.
- In 72% of unintentional deaths and injuries, suicide, and suicide attempts with a firearm of 0-19 year-olds, the firearm was stored in the residence of the victim, a relative, or a friend.
- Two-thirds of the 41 students involved in 37 school-shooting incidents from 1974-2000 got their guns from their own home or that of a relative.
- Two-thirds of students in grades 6-12 say they could obtain a firearm in 24 hours.
- 6% of high school students said they had carried a gun in the last 30 days.