John–

4.6 million children in the U.S. live in homes with guns that are both loaded AND unlocked.

And almost every day, we see the consequences of kids and teens getting ahold of unsecured guns: unintentional shootings, youth suicides, and gunfire on school grounds.

That's why in 2015, we started Be SMART: our program to reduce child gun deaths and injuries by educating adults about secure gun storage.

And next week marks the first annual SMART Week: When we come together to spread the word about secure gun storage to make our communities safer.

Help us share the Be SMART message by joining an upcoming training call.

The Be SMART framework encourages people to:

• Secure all firearms in your home and vehicles
• Model responsible behavior around firearms
• Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes
• Recognize the role of firearms in suicide
• Tell your peers to Be SMART

Each year, nearly 360 children age 17 and under gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else—sometimes fatally. And more than 700 children die by suicide with a gun each year.

This SMART Week, get involved to spread this critical message: We are all safer when guns are stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

Because when we get the word out about secure storage in our communities, everyone benefits.

Thanks for being in this movement,

Cathi Geeslin
She/Her/Hers
Director of Public Education Programs
Be SMART