Community Safety Message: Secure Gun Storage

As summer approaches and children and teens may be more often at home alone or visiting friends' houses, Duluth Schools Superintendent John Magas, City of Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert, and Police Chief Mike Ceynowa remind residents of the importance of safe gun storage, noting that secure firearm storage is always an adult responsibility.

Gun Violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens. Superintendent Magas, Mayor Reinert, and Chief Ceynowa urge parents and caregivers to practice responsible gun storage by securing firearms in their homes and asking about the presence of guns in the homes of family and friends.

Secure gun storage can save children's lives by preventing unintentional shootings and gun suicides. Responsible firearm storage means that guns are stored, unloaded, locked, and separated from ammunition.

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Superintendent Magas, Mayor Reinert, and Chief Ceynowa remind residents of the following statistics:

• Every year across the country, 360 children under 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else, and nearly 77% of those incidents occur inside the home.

• More than 700 children die by gun suicide each year. In the overwhelming majority of these incidents, the gun was one that belonged to someone in their home.

Research shows secure storage that removes access to firearms for those at risk is critical for suicide prevention. In some cases, this may be accomplished by storing firearms unloaded and locked up using a locking device, such as a cable or gun safe.

Free gun locks are available for Duluth residents from the Duluth Police Department.

As summer approaches and children and teens may be more often at home alone or visiting friends' houses , Duluth Schools Superintendent John Magas, City of Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert, and Police Chief Mike Ceynowa remind residents of the importance of safe gun storage, noting that secure firearm storage is always an adult responsibility.

Gun Violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens. Superintendent Magas, Mayor Reinert, and Chief Ceynowa urge parents and caregivers to practice responsible gun storage by securing firearms in their homes and asking about the presence of guns in the homes of family and friends.

Secure gun storage can save children's lives by preventing unintentional shootings and gun suicides. Responsible firearm storage means that guns are stored, unloaded, locked, and separated from ammunition.

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Superintendent Magas, Mayor Reinert, and Chief Ceynowa remind residents of the following statistics:

• Every year across the country, 360 children under 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else, and nearly 77% of those incidents occur inside the home.

• More than 700 children die by gun suicide each year. In the overwhelming majority of these incidents, the gun was one that belonged to someone in their home.

Research shows secure storage that removes access to firearms for those at risk is critical for suicide prevention. In some cases, this may be accomplished by storing firearms unloaded and locked up using a locking device, such as a cable or gun safe.

Free gun locks are available for Duluth residents from the Duluth Police Department.

This summer, our community leaders encourage all Duluth adults to help protect Duluth kids through secure gun storage.

Learn more at https://besmartforkids.org/

Learn more at https://besmartforkids.org/