Governor Josh Stein has designated June 1-7 as the North Carolina S.A.F.E. Week of Action, an initiative sponsored by the N.C. Department of Public Safety. The campaign aims to unite communities, families, and organizations across the state to emphasize the critical importance of safe firearm storage.
“Safely storing firearms can be the difference between life and death,” stated Governor Stein. “When people understand the risks, they are more likely to take action to protect themselves and their families. That’s what S.A.F.E. week is all about – keeping people safe from gun violence.”
Recent FBI data indicates a significant rise in gun thefts from vehicles, with rates now three times higher than a decade ago. In 2022, ten cities in North Carolina were among the top 100 U.S. cities for reported gun thefts from vehicles.
In response to these concerning trends, Governor Stein has proposed over $2.2 million for initiatives promoting safe firearm storage, which research shows is vital for reducing gun violence.
“Every conversation and every gun lock distributed brings us closer to a safer North Carolina,” remarked William Lassiter, Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. “Our collective efforts are reaching families across the state and making a real impact.”
Throughout North Carolina, various organizations are participating in NC S.A.F.E. Week by hosting community events focused on safe gun storage education and distributing gun locks statewide. Key events include press conferences at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with TSA officials, Community Day at Atrium Brenner’s Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem, an awareness event by Asheville Police Department, and a press conference with state and local officials in Elizabeth City.
“As healthcare providers and safety advocates, our priority is protecting the health and well-being of every child,” said Dr. Becca Palmer, Assistant Pediatrics Professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine. “Safe firearm storage is a simple but powerful step we can all take to prevent tragedies and save lives.”
The NC S.A.F.E. campaign has already achieved over 89 million ad impressions and nearly 332,000 visits to its website while distributing 130,000 free gun locks across North Carolina. Additionally, it launched the NC S.A.F.E. for Schools program to provide school districts with resources for promoting safe storage practices within their communities.
