Hi–

Nine years ago, my brother Willie was shot and killed. I live with the pain of his loss every single day.

But through my pain, I've found a purpose and a passion.

In 2019, I began volunteering for Be SMART, a program to promote secure gun storage and responsible gun ownership.

With my fellow Be SMART advocates from the Midlands Chapter in South Carolina, we forged a partnership with twenty local barber shops to offer free gun locks. These local businesses understand that everyone has a role to play in preventing childhood gun deaths.

Because millions of children and teens in the U.S. live in homes with unsecured guns. And many children in gun-owning households know where the guns are stored—even if their parents don't think they do.

This week marks the first annual SMART Week: We're coming together to spread the word about the critical importance of secure gun storage. Follow along on Instagram to help us spread the Be SMART message.

The gold standard for secure gun storage is to keep all guns unloaded, locked up, and stored separately from ammunition. By educating the public on secure gun storage, we can reduce gun violence and create a safer environment for our families and neighbors as we embark on a new school year.

I do this work to help prevent tragic gun deaths—because I know too well the pain of losing a loved one to gun violence.

This SMART Week, learn more about the simple steps you can take to prevent future tragedies.

Thanks for being a part of this movement,

Sharline Brown
She/Her/Hers
Volunteer, Be SMART