The Indiana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, will hold an event to present the Be SMART campaign, an effort focused on preventing unintentional shootings by children, on Tuesday, July 16 in room 219 at Frankfort Community Public Library. The 20 minute presentation will be given by Be SMART representative Jennifer Haan. No need to find a sitter, you are welcome to bring your kids to room 204 where we will have an activity and craft prepared.
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Urban Health estimated that 4.6 million children currently live in homes with at least one unsecured firearm. According to the #NotAnAccident Index, in an average year, more than 280 Americans are injured or killed in an unintentional shooting by a child who gained access to an unsecured gun.
In an effort to address unintentional shootings by children, Moms Demand Action launched Be SMART, a public education campaign asking gun owners and non-gun owners alike to come together to reduce the number of unintentional shootings, suicides and homicides that occur when firearms are not stored responsibly and children or teens get a hold of a gun. The campaign asks parents and caretakers to take five steps to help prevent shootings by children: Secure all guns in your home and vehicles; Model responsible behavior around guns; Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes; Recognize the risks of teen suicide; and Tell your peers to be SMART.