The Wake County Public School System, in collaboration with NC S.A.F.E., has announced the launch of a new program aimed at promoting safe gun storage in North Carolina schools. The initiative was introduced during a press conference at Garner Magnet High School, featuring representatives from NC S.A.F.E., educational and police organizations, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Firearms have recently become the leading cause of injury-related deaths among children in North Carolina. This new program seeks to support schools and families by providing essential resources to effectively communicate the importance of securing firearms to keep children safe.
North Carolina witnessed 12 cases of gunfire on school premises in 2024, resulting in one fatality and nine injuries. With 42% of adults in the state having a firearm at home — and over half of these firearms stored loaded and unlocked — there is significant concern for student safety. Alarmingly, nearly 30% of high school students surveyed in North Carolina indicated that they could access and fire a loaded gun within an hour without adult permission.
DPS Deputy Secretary William Lassiter commented, “School administrators and educators are already leaders in their communities, making them ideal advocates to share information about the safe storage of firearms. The NC S.A.F.E for Schools program will provide important resources to school districts — and ultimately parents — with the hope of creating safer school campuses and communities.”
The NC S.A.F.E. for Schools program offers resources such as flyers, videos, and customizable content for schools to share with parents. These resources, available in English and Spanish, include guidelines for discussing firearm safety with children and other parents. The program has also released a series of videos featuring parents’ experiences with safe gun storage.
Supported by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) is independent of advocacy-based campaigns related to gun laws. Instead, it focuses on providing practical and accessible resources to parents and communities.
The Wake County Public School System has already started to incorporate NC S.A.F.E. for Schools resources this school year. Superintendent Dr. Robert P. Taylor stated, “As a school system, we have resolved to educate our community on the importance of safe gun storage and its role in protecting students. Whether providing handouts for safety presentations, helpful information for digital communications, or even materials for school resource officers, resources from NC S.A.F.E. have been invaluable to that mission.”
Other school districts are encouraged to use these free and readily available resources to promote safer school environments and build greater community trust.
For more information on NC S.A.F.E. for Schools and to access resources for educators and parents, those interested can seek further details online.
Photos from the press conference can be found following the event.
