Today, Governor Josh Stein joined Deputy Secretary William Lassiter, Elizabeth City Police Chief Eddie Graham Jr., and gun safety advocates to emphasize the importance of NC S.A.F.E.’s (Secure All Firearms Effectively) Week of Action. The initiative aims to promote safe firearm storage across North Carolina.
Governor Stein stated, “Firearms are the leading cause of injury-related death for children in the state, and too many of those tragic deaths are entirely preventable. We must use every tool at our disposal to keep children safe and promote responsible gun ownership – we need folks locking up their guns, using a gun safe, and talking about the risks of loose firearms.”
Deputy Secretary William Lassiter explained that North Carolina’s S.A.F.E. Week of Action is a Department of Public Safety initiative designed to raise awareness about safe gun storage through partnerships, outreach, and community events. “S.A.F.E. Week highlights the importance of using safe storage devices and preventing firearm-related injuries, violence, and theft. This is a key ingredient in making every North Carolina community safer,” he said.
Eric Toschlog, Medical Director for Trauma at ECU Health Medical Center, expressed concern over preventable gun injuries witnessed in emergency rooms. He emphasized that “keeping firearms in a secure place is imperative to keeping children safe and avoiding preventable deaths.”
In 2023, firearms were the leading cause of death for children in North Carolina with 99 firearm-related deaths and 525 emergency department visits for individuals aged 1-17. Overall, there were 1,797 firearm-related deaths and 4,008 emergency department visits statewide in 2023. Improperly stored firearms are often stolen from vehicles and subsequently used in crimes; North Carolina reported 431 vehicle gun thefts in 2023.
Governor Stein has proposed more than $2.3 million to promote safe storage as part of his commitment to reducing gun violence and unnecessary tragedies. Additionally, he advocates for enhancing law enforcement recruitment by increasing salaries for state officers and offering bonuses for new Basic Law Enforcement Training graduates. His budget also includes measures such as establishing a Fentanyl Control Unit to combat drug issues, creating a Cold Case Unit for unresolved sexual assault cases, and improving school safety with additional cameras, fences for playgrounds, and exterior locks.
For more information on safe firearm storage practices visit [website link not provided].
