AS STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL, SMART WEEK RETURNS IN NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT SECURE GUN STORAGE

Last School Year Saw a 21% Decrease in Incidents of Gunfire on School Grounds

NEW YORK – Today, Be SMART, a program of Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, kicks off its second annual SMART Week. From August 25–29, people across the country will join forces to raise awareness about the life-saving importance of secure gun storage as the new school year begins. There are more than 350 #BeSMART events scheduled nationwide, featuring Moms Demand Action volunteers, law enforcement, gun violence survivors, gun owners, community partners, and more, who will work to raise awareness about secure firearm storage and educate people about the simple steps they can take to prevent gun violence in their communities. In addition to events, a coalition of cultural figures, elected officials, and nonprofit partner organizations will join advocates to recognize SMART Week. 

“As a mom, nothing matters more to me than knowing my kids, and all kids, are safe. That’s what SMART Week is all about,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “This isn’t about politics — it’s about saving lives. When every gun in every home and car is stored securely, we can protect our communities and prevent tragedies before they happen.”

“Research shows very clearly that the most effective way to prevent children from accessing firearms is making sure all guns are stored unloaded, locked and separate from ammunition,” said Sonali Rajan, senior director of research at Everytown for Gun Safety. “Programs like Be SMART are crucial educational tools for inspiring open conversations about secure storage with friends, family, neighbors and community members. The onus to keep guns out of reach from children is squarely on adults — we must use all the tools in our toolbox to prevent gun violence and keep our children safe.”

“This school year, our kids deserve classrooms, playdates, and hangouts free from the threat of gun violence. Secure gun storage helps make that possible,” said Amy Ghiselin, a Moms Demand Action volunteer and Be SMART leader in Texas. “I lock up my guns for the same reason I ask my kids to buckle their seatbelts. Parents already do so much to keep our kids safe and healthy. Why wouldn’t we also take steps to prevent gun violence from reaching the places they should feel safest?”

A new Everytown Support Fund analysis found that there were at least 114 incidents of gunfire on K–12 school grounds during the 2024-25 school year, translating to 21% fewer incidents than the previous school year. This decline comes as the Be SMART program celebrates 10 years of life-saving work, including dozens of partnerships with local and statewide education and law enforcement entities and tireless district-by-district advocacy. 

Thanks to the hard work of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers nationwide, particularly Be SMART volunteers, more than 11 million students across the country now live in a district that requires schools to educate parents about the critical role of secure firearm storage in keeping students safe. 

SMART Week is rooted in the Be SMART public education program, which promotes secure gun storage as a means to prevent kids under 18 and other unauthorized users from accessing guns. A recent Everytown Support Fund report shows that every year, nearly 360 children under 18 gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. That’s roughly one unintentional shooting per day. Launched in 2015, Be SMART focuses on how secure gun storage can prevent tragedies like unintentional shootings, school shootings, youth gun suicide, and more. 

During SMART Week, advocates and partners nationwide will be leveraging the Be SMART framework to reach more people and ensure that secure gun storage practices become the norm in our communities, especially as kids return to their classrooms:

• Secure all guns in homes and vehicles
• Model responsible behavior around guns
• Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes your child visits 
• Recognize the role of guns in suicide 
• Tell your peers to Be SMART.

In partnership with SMART Week, the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Angel City FC, and San Francisco Giants hosted Be SMART volunteers and community leaders at games or training camps or spread the word about secure storage on social media with PSAs recorded by players. The Everytown Support Fund, Be SMART and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. are partnering to distribute gun lockboxes in three cities. And non-profit organizations and faith partners across various issue areas such as National PTA, Safe Kids Worldwide, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), and more will take part in the campaign.

Additionally, today, Everytown Support Fund released an updated report on youth deaths by firearm suicide, finding that each year, more than 3,400 young people ages 10 to 24 die by firearm suicide — an average of nine people each day. Guns are used in more than half of youth suicides, and the suicide rate among young people (10-24) has increased almost every year since 2007 and is now at a near-record high. Removing youth access to firearms by securing guns in the home is one of the most important and most effective interventions to reduce youth suicide risk. 

For more details about events happening during SMART Week, please contact [email protected]. More information about Be SMART is available at BeSMARTforKids.org.