U.S. Attorney’s Office Kicks Off Gun Safety Initiative at Sept. 19 Program

Press Release

Public's help sought to prevent firearm accidents and suicides among children and teens

CLEVELAND - To help keep children, teens, and communities safe, the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio has launched an awareness and education initiative to inform the public about the importance of securing firearms and storing them safely. As part of this initiative, the USAO is partnering with the Richmond Heights Police Department to present an information session, "Safe Gun Storage Saves Lives," Thursday, Sept.19, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Richmond Heights Community Center, 27285 Highland Rd., Richmond Heights, OH 44120.

The City of Richmond Heights will host the program, but residents of all communities are invited to attend. Topics include data and trends regarding firearms-related accidents and self-imposed harm, focusing on children and teens in particular; the connection between these tragedies and unsafe firearms-storage practices; the effects that such tragedies have on both individual families and the broader public; a gun lock demonstration and distribution; and steps to help prevent firearms-related tragedies by following and encouraging safe firearms-storage practices.

The program features several speakers: U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio; firearms safety advocate Michelle Bell, the founder of M-Pac Cleveland, a local organization that aims to connect and support families affected by gun accidents and violence; MetroHealth Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator Anthony Zalewski, RN; Richmond Heights Police Chief Calvin Williams; and Richmond Heights Mayor Kim Thomas.

As part of the program, local police officers will distribute free gun locks; attendees will not need to provide any personal information to receive one. Officers will also exhibit other types of safe storage devices, demonstrate how to use them, and individually discuss safe storage options with attendees.

"When you make the choice to own a firearm, you owe it to your neighbors to do so responsibly. As a whole, our community must do a better job to ensure that we store firearms in a safe manner, where a curious child or a despondent adolescent cannot readily access them. In April, a three-year-old child in Brunswick died from a gunshot wound after he found a gun in his own home, and accidentally discharged it while playing with it. Just a month later, in May, a two-year-old toddler in Euclid similarly died when he accidentally shot himself after he found a firearm in his home. And just last week, a five-year-old boy in Utah died after-once again-finding his parent's gun and accidentally shooting himself. Every one of these tragedies could have been prevented," said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. "Instead, these children-and the thousands of people of all ages who use firearms to take their own lives each year-are gone, and their families' lives are irrevocably changed. In launching this initiative, our goal is to protect children, at-risk teens, and young adults from grave danger in homes where firearms are present. Our kids' safety is everyone's joint responsibility."

The Safe Storage campaign's message coincides with National Suicide Prevention Month, recognized annually each September by the National Institute of Mental Health. The number of firearm-related suicides rose nationally by 20% across the population from 2012 to 2022. The highest increases were found among younger people, according to fatal injury data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The risk of accidents also increases when firearms are easy to find and access. From 2003 to 2021, 85% of children fatally injured were located at a house or apartment, and 56% of incidents occurred in their own homes, according to the CDC report "Unintentional Firearm Injury Deaths Among Children and Adolescents Aged 0-17 Years." More than 70% of firearms used were stored loaded, and nearly 80% of firearms were stored unlocked and easily found on a bed, under a pillow, under a mattress, or inside or on top of a nightstand, according to the report.

"We're calling on our community partners and the public to help us spread awareness of these largely preventable accidents and instances of self-harm," said U.S. Attorney Lutzko. "Much like seatbelt education helps to save lives of those involved in car accidents, spreading the word about safe storage will help save lives of children, teens, and young adults, who we have a special duty to protect. Our goal is to amplify the message of responsible firearm ownership through this community-centered, public-safety strategy."

The USAO has posted on its website a host of free community resources discussing safe storage practices and providing tools for community members to spread the word about safe storage practices and help encourage them. Among the items included are bulletin board flyers, adult and child's safety pledge certificates, and owners' firearms safety manuals. Visit justice.gov/usao-ndoh/safe-gun-storageto view them. The public is also encouraged to follow the USAO on Facebook (@usaondoh) and X (@NDOHnews) to reshare safe gun storage tips and information throughout the coming weeks.

Additional safe storage community programs are slated to be announced.

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Updated September 4, 2024