Secure Storage Saves Lives
Responsible Gun Ownership Starts with Secure Storage.
Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens.
Chief John Kilbride of the Falmouth Police Department speaks about the importance of secure storage to prevent firearm tragedies in your home.
Why should I lock up my firearms?
Let's normalize conversations that can keep our loved ones – and little ones – safe. Keeping guns unloaded and locked up prevents unauthorized users, including children, from accessing and then being injured by firearms. You may practice secure storage at home, but other parents may not, and your children could be at risk in their home.
Talk to Other Parents About Safe Storage.
Did you know?
Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens. In addition…
Ten times as many teens are committing suicide with firearms as small children who die by firearm unintentionally.
Secure firearm storage means:
“Triple-safe”
Unloaded
Locked
Ammunition stored separately
Practicing all three methods is the safest way to store a firearm.
However, practicing any one or two of these methods is better than none at all.
For example, storing a loaded handgun in a lockbox is better than not storing it in a lockbox at all.
For Clinicians
Health care professionals should engage collaboratively with patients and their families to help prevent gun injuries and deaths. Lethal means safety counseling is a patient-centered health care intervention that can be used to help prevent suicides, homicides, unintentional gun deaths, and nonfatal gun injuries.
Talk to Your Patients About Secure Storage.
We offer FREE training, lock boxes, and resource materials about secure storage of firearms.
to request clinician training on secure storage for your office.
"...under your pillow or in your nightstand doesn't count as secure storage."
— Falmouth Police Chief John Kilbride
Remember:
Hiding unlocked firearms in a closet, nightstand drawer or another hidden spot in your home is not a safe way to securely store firearms.
Talking to your child about the dangers of firearms is important but isn’t enough on its own – take real precautions.
Firearm-related tragedies can happen to any family. Don’t let it happen to yours – store your firearms safely and securely!
