Keeping Kids and Youth Safe at Home and at School
Today, one of the most important things we can do to keep kids and youth safe from gun tragedy is to increase secure firearm storage. A 20% increase in secure storage of firearms would lead to a 30% reduction in youth firearms and injuries.
PREVENTING YOUTH FIREARM SUICIDE
We know suicide is preventable. There is a common misconception that if someone wants to die by suicide, they will. Research shows this is not true and in fact, suicide is preventable. Once suicidal ideation passes, most people — over 90% — continue with their lives.
Firearms represent the leading cause of suicide death in Oregon.
More than 80 percent of youth suicides involving a gun belonged to a family member — most often a parent. And, over ⅔ of the time, the firearm was unlocked and unsecured. Suicide attempts by guns are the most lethal because there is rarely a second chance. While suicide attempts are the same across firearm owning and non-firearm owning households, suicide rates are 4x higher in houses with guns because of their lethality.
This is why it’s so important to securely store firearms.
SECURING GUNS SAFELY SAVES LIVES
By storing guns securely - unloaded and locked up - we can save lives and join together to protect our kids and other youth in our community.
Today, biometric safes make it possible to store firearms where they can be quickly accessed, but prevent any unauthorized access.
Did you know many law enforcement agencies distribute free gun safes? Search for a free firearm safe in your community.
Learn how to talk to family and friends about secure storage.
RESOURCES
Text or call Lines for Life at 988 if you or someone you know needs immediate help.
PREVENTING FIREARM INJURIES
Secure gun storage and firearm safety training can protect kids and keep our youth safe.
Every year, hundreds of kids and youth end up in the Emergency Room due to unintentional firearm injuries. As parents, family, and community members we can do our part to protect our community by ensuring firearms are secure.
In over 90% of unintentional gun injuries involving youth, the child found the gun loaded and unsecured.
Research shows us that kids often know where firearms are stored. And, even when explicitly instructed not to, kids will report taking out their parents or family members firearms when they aren’t supposed to. This isn’t because they are bad kids - it’s because kids are naturally curious. The best thing we can do is ensure firearms are stored securely.
SECURING GUNS SAFELY PROTECT KIDS AND PETS FROM UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES
By storing guns securely - unloaded and locked up - we can save lives and join together to protect our kids and other youth in our community.
Today, biometric safes make it possible to store firearms where they can be quickly accessed, but prevent any unauthorized access.
Did you know many law enforcement agencies distribute free gun safes? Search for a free firearm safe in your community.
Even if you do not own firearms, it is important to talk to your family and friends about secure storage. Before you send your kids to another family’s house, talk to the family and ask if their guns are stored securely. The more we normalize secure gun storage, the safer our communities will become.
Learn how to talk to family and friends about secure storage.
Don’t have kids or own firearms? It’s likely you still know friends, family or co-workers who own firearms. By normalizing talking about secure storage, we can make our communities safer for everyone.
INCREASING SCHOOL SAFETY
Kids and youth should be able to go to school without having to worry. We know a safer future is possible. Yet today, over 50% of kids worry about a school shooting. Many other kids - especially Black and Latino youth - worry about shootings on their way to school and may have been affected by gun loss in their own communities.
Research shows there are ways we can make schools safer, but they may not always be what we think. There are three clear categories of ways we can reduce school related gun violence. It’s important to note that until recently, there has been little research as to what actually works to reduce school shootings and gun violence around schools. As communities and states, we need to be prepared to change our approach as we learn more about what works.
Reduce youth access to firearms
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Increase secure storage of firearms. Three out of four school shootings involved unsecured firearms owned by the shooter’s family member or friend.
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Raise the age to 21 for the purchase of semi-automatic rifles, which today in Oregon can be purchased by 18-year-olds, which is why they are commonly used in school shootings. (You must be 21 to purchase a handgun under federal law).
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Ban high capacity magazines (those with 10+ rounds, which allow shooters to shoot without stopping). Research has found the gap in time required to re-load allows shooters to be disarmed and has saved lives, providing a crucial opportunity for people to escape.
Improve mental health supports for schools and families
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Increase school mental health counselors
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Ensure schools have regular threat assessment teams
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If running active shooter drills, only run drills with adults as research shows active shooter drills with children may cause harm and to-date, shows little benefits
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Train educators and professionals to talk to students about their worries around gun violence and gun related tragedies
Improve security and physical environments at schools
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Ensure schools have single points of entry
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Ensure teachers have ways to communicate in an emergency including radios
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Improve school and surrounding environments, including lighting in and around buildings
Together, we can create real, lasting change, and make sure all students feel safe in and around their schools.
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