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Firearms are now the leading cause of death among children in the United States, but these tragedies are preventable. Be SMART For Kids promotes responsible gun ownership to reduce the deaths, injuries, and trauma that can result when a child or teen can access a gun.
Be SMART aims to provide information geared toward adult gun owners about gun safety and to normalize the conversation about guns in a non-political and nonjudgemental way.
The Story of Be SMART
The Be SMART campaign was launched in 2015 by Everytown for Gun Safety, the country’s largest gun violence prevention organization with over 10 million supporters in over fifty states including the supporters of the very active Johnson County Chapter of Be SMART.
The purpose of the Be SMART is to raise awareness that secure gun storage saves children’s lives. Storing guns locked, unloaded, and separated from ammunition is the safest way to have them in a home with children.
Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult’s responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns and that every adult plays a role in making communities safer from gun violence. Be SMART is an acronym that outlines the program. It stands for:
S – Secure all guns in your home and vehicles
M – Model responsible behavior around guns
A – Ask about unsecured guns in other homes
R – Recognize the role of guns in suicide
T – Tell your peers to Be SMART
Within the last year alone, Kansas Be SMART volunteers have presented Be SMART information at more than 40 events, from schools to safety fairs to conferences, and have handed out hundreds of gun locks at these events.
Talk About Guns
Be SMART works to normalize gun conversations with all adults to keep children safe in homes with firearms. Just as parents check in on allergies, technology, and supervision, Be SMART promotes adults checking in with each other regarding any firearms in the home.
Ways to Support Be SMART
Help Spread The Word
Be SMART works hard to make more members of the community empowered to normalize the conversation about protecting kids from unintentional shootings.
They host presentations for any group or organization that would benefit from hearing how we can all work to keep our kids safe and can work with school administrators or school boards to distribute information to parents and caregivers in the district. If you know of a group that would benefit from a presentation you can send an email to [email protected]
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteers are always needed to spread the message of Be SMART throughout the community. They have many tabling and presentation opportunities and training and support are provided to volunteers, you may also email [email protected] to find volunteer opportunities to best suit you.
Donate Money
Be SMART passes out free gun locks to adults throughout the community. Their biggest financial need is to purchase gun locks and pay for any event entry fees. Donations can be made to the Kansas Be SMART Team to help fund their continued work.
How To Join The Be SMART Community
If you’re interested in joining the Johnson County Moms Demand Action monthly meetings where they discuss many ways they work to eliminate gun violence in Kansas. Join them on the second Thursday of every month.
