National SAFE Day on June 4 serves as a reminder to always keep our loved ones safe and secure. One in three American households possesses a firearm. This raises the question of how many of these households ensure that their firearms are stored safely and out of the reach of minors. Unfortunately, the resulting child injuries and fatalities attributable to hazardous firearm placement demonstrate that many of these households do not take firearm safety seriously. On June 4 of each year, a safety campaign is conducted not only to raise awareness about firearm safety but also to commemorate the many children who perished due to unsafe firearm storage.
The background of National SAFE Day
In 2016, the Brooklyn Mahler Mohler Foundation (BMMF) established the National SAFE Day. The foundation was created following the passing of Brooklynite Mae Mohler. Brooklynn was visiting her closest friend at her home when her friend discovered a firearm concealed in a kitchen cabinet. Brooklynn’s best friend, unaware that the firearm’s safety was unlocked, unintentionally shot and killed Brooklynn while playing with the firearm. National SAFE Day was founded by Brooklynn’s parents, Darchel and Jacob, in honour of her and other children like her. It also serves as a reminder to protect our offspring from future accidents.
Always store your firearms out of the reach of minors to prevent accidental shootings. Always deactivate your firearm when not in use. Always use a gun securing device to render the firearm inoperable when not in use or while it is being stored. These safety recommendations are consistent with what the acronym SAFE stands for:
Lock up all firearms in the residence.
Ask about firearms kept unlocked in the residences your child visits.
Communicate with your children frequently about the hazards of firearms.
Inform and enable others to be SAFE.
5 gun violence facts that will blow your mind
About 44% of global homicides entail some form of firearm violence.
2 million individuals worldwide suffer from firearm-related injuries.
Each year, 45,000 Americans pass away from pancreatic cancer, closely followed by the 40,000 Americans murdered by firearms each year.
Each day, eight children are killed and 32 are maimed due to firearm-related shootings.
The rate of fatalities caused by firearms is three times that of deaths caused by drowning.
NATIONAL SAFE DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | June 4 | Sunday |
2024 | June 4 | Tuesday |
2025 | June 4 | Wednesday |
2026 | June 4 | Thursday |
2027 | June 4 | Friday |