Firearm Safety

Mission:

To empower the Cumberland County community with comprehensive firearm safety education and resources, fostering responsible firearm handling, reducing injuries and deaths related to firearms, and promoting community well-being.

Objective:

Our objective is to provide the community with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for safe firearm use and storage. Through education, violence prevention training, outreach programs, and partnerships, we strive to reduce accidental shootings, encourage responsible gun ownership, and foster a culture of safety and respect surrounding firearms.

Goals:

1. Education and Training
2. Awareness and Outreach
3. Access to Resources
4. Advocacy and Policy
5. Evaluation and Impact

The Safest Way To Store Guns  

• Use a Gun Safe
• Unload the gun and keep the ammunition separate from the weapon
• When securing a gun with a gun lock, ensure that the key is stored in a separate location

The best practice is to always store the gun unloaded and locked. If the gun in YOUR home is not safely secured, call 910-433-3846 for a free gun lock. We are able to provide a free gun lock as long as supplies are available.

Know The Numbers  

1 in every 3 homes has a gun.

Ask your relatives, friends, and neighbors if they have a gun before sending your kids over to play or visit.

• If NO, it's one less worry.
• If YES, is the gun unloaded and locked? Make sure it is a safe place for your child to play.

Gun deaths and injuries can often be prevented!

In the United States…

• Youth are more likely to die from a gun injury than from any medical illness or motor vehicle crash.
• Most gun deaths are suicides, NOT homicides.
• There is a five times greater risk of suicide in a home with a gun.
• Youth are naturally curious and impulsive. They may touch a gun regardless of what gun-owning parents have taught them.
  • 43% of people keep their guns unlocked.
  • 14-30% of people keep their guns loaded.
  • 6-14% of people keep at least one gun loaded and unlocked.

Promoting The Message

Invite the Gun Safety Team to provide information at your neighborhood events, faith-based organizations, schools, worksites, or other events or places.

Let your family and friends know the importance of securing firearms and asking about the presence of firearms when their children visit and play.

The Gun Safety Team's outreach efforts include exhibiting and providing educational programs at the following sites:

• Businesses
• Schools - Fairs, Activities & PTA's
• Civic Organizations
• Health Fairs
• Health Care Clinics
• Religious & Faith-Based Communities
• Childcare Centers
• Community Events

Join Us!

Anyone interested in the Firearm Safety Team's promotions in Cumberland County is encouraged to join.

Need Extra Resources

1. Preventing Firearm Injury and Death | Firearm Injury and Death Prevention | CDC (NATIONAL)
2. Lethal Means Safety Resources - MIRECC / CoE (va.gov) (VETERAN)
3. Firearm Industry Programs for REAL SOLUTIONS® (nssfrealsolutions.org) (NATIONAL)
4. Workbook: NCVDRSDashboard (ncdhhs.gov)  (LOCAL)

For More Information

Leah Rhone

Public Health Educator - Mental Health Education

(910) 433-3846

Email: