Safe Gun Storage to Reduce Gun Violence Resources

As parents, guardians, and community members, we all share a commitment to the safety and well-being of our children. In homes across the country, millions of families own firearms for sport, protection, or tradition. However, with this responsibility comes the crucial need for proper gun storage to ensure that firearms remain secure, out of reach, and out of harm’s way.

Safe gun storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidental shootings, suicide, and theft, as well as to reduce the risk of firearms being used in violent incidents, especially in schools. By keeping guns locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition, we can significantly lower the likelihood of tragedies both inside and outside our homes.

This website is designed to provide parents, guardians, and community members with essential resources, practical tips, and best practices for storing firearms responsibly. Together, we can create a safer environment for our children and our community. 

Information Resources

NC S.A.F.E - NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) is North Carolina’s statewide initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of safe firearm storage. Established in 2023, the initiative provides resources and best practices for firearm storage and safety. NC S.A.F.E. is not associated with any advocacy-based initiatives related to gun laws or regulations.

Safe and Secure: Parents' Guide to Firearm Storage

Seguridad y Protección: Guía de padres para guardar de forma segura las armas

Project Child Safe - Project ChildSafe is the largest and most comprehensive firearm safety education program in the US. Launched in 1999, it is the official firearm safety program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearm industry, with the goal to provide a real firearm safety solution for every community.

N.C.G.S. § 14-315.1. Storage of firearms to protect minors - Properly storing firearms away from minors isn't only the responsible thing to do, it is the law. Violators of GS 14-315.1 can face punishment of up to 45 days in jail and fines.

Be SMART - The Be SMART campaign was launched to raise awareness that secure gun storage—storing guns unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition—can save children’s lives. Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns, and that every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safer.