NEW YORK — Today, Be SMART, a program of Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, kicked off the inaugural SMART Week. From August 26–30, as part of this campaign, people across the United States will come together to spread the word on the critical importance of secure gun storage. There are more than 100 #BeSMART events scheduled across the country this week, featuring Moms Demand Action volunteers for the Be SMART program, gun violence survivors, gun safety advocates, elected leaders, community partners and more, who will work to raise awareness about secure firearm storage and educate people with the simple steps they can take to prevent gun violence in their communities as the school year begins. In addition to events, a coalition of influencers, elected officials, and nonprofit partner organizations will join advocates to recognize SMART Week.
Thanks to the hard work of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers nationwide, particularly Be SMART volunteers, at the start of this school year for the first time, more than 11 million students across the country will live in a district that requires schools to educate parents about the critical role of secure firearm storage in keeping students safe. Secure storage notification policies let schools send home information to parents about the importance of secure gun storage.
“As adults, we’re responsible for the safety of our kids, communities, and classrooms,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “This SMART Week, I encourage us all to consider the role we each can play in preventing gun violence every day. It’s on us to empower our communities with the simple — but meaningful — tools to Be SMART and save lives.”
“Tragically, too many of us know the devastating reality of what can happen when guns aren’t stored securely,” said Katie Woodall, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action and Be SMART leader in Tucson, Arizona. Katie was shot and wounded during the mass shooting at Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas in October of 2017. “As our kids head back to school, it’s so important we take whatever steps we can to ensure a safer environment for our children and communities. When we educate our neighbors on how to Be SMART and normalize secure gun storage practices, we can save lives.”
SMART Week is built on the foundation of the Be SMART public education program, which promotes secure gun storage as a means to prevent kids under 18 and other unauthorized users from accessing guns. Launched in 2015, Be SMART focuses on how secure gun storage can prevent tragedies like unintentional shootings, school shootings, youth gun suicide, and more. The US Secret Service found that three-quarters of school shooters acquired their firearm from the home of a parent or close relative—in nearly half of these shootings, the firearm was easily accessible or was not stored securely.
For years, Moms Demand Action volunteers who advocate for the Be SMART program, community partners, school boards, law enforcement officials, gun owners and non-gun owners all across the country have come together to protect kids and communities by promoting secure gun storage. Be SMART has cultivated major partnerships at the national, state and local levels. During SMART Week, advocates and partners nationwide will be leveraging the Be SMART framework to reach more people and ensure that secure gun storage practices become the norm in our communities, especially as kids return to their classrooms: