Amplify: White House Announces New Safe Firearm Storage Actions

Feb 7

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced new executive actions to further promote the safe storage of firearms. Building off of President Biden’s March 2023 Executive Order, which called for the expansion of existing campaigns to promote safe firearm storage, the Administration is announcing new actions to help reduce gun violence and save lives.

Highlights:

US Department of Justice released a comprehensive guide to safe firearm storage, the most complete guide ever released by the federal government.
US Department of Education will send a letter to school principals across the nation reminding them about the importance of safe firearm storage to keep students safe in schools and in their communities.
US Department of Education will also launch a new template that principals and leaders can use to communicate and engage with parents, caregivers, and the community about the importance of safe firearm storage.

Why It Matters:

Gun violence is the leading cause of death of children in America; 4.6 million children live in homes with unsecured firearms.

76% of school shootings are committed with guns from the home of either the perpetrator, their parents, or another close relative.
80% of firearm suicides by children (18 and under) involve a gun belonging to a family member–and youth suicide rates have been steadily increasing, up 66% over the last 10 years.
76% of unintentional shootings of children are committed with unsecured guns found in the home–usually stored in nightstands or near other sleeping areas.