Safe Gun Storage Saves Lives

Posted On February 19, 2026

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When gun violence touches our community, its impact is felt by everyone, especially in our schools, which should always be safe spaces to learn and grow. Responsible gun safety plays a critical role in safeguarding students and families in every community.

We want to draw your attention to a critical issue affecting the safety and well-being of our children. Firearm-related injuries and deaths among youth have become a leading cause of death for children and teens (ages 1–19) in the United States.

Why Safe Gun Storage Matters

One of the most effective steps adults can take to protect children and teens is storing firearms safely. Research consistently shows that keeping firearms locked, unloaded and stored separately from ammunition significantly reduces the risk of accidental injury, self-harm and youth violence.

Many incidents involving young people happen when a firearm is unintentionally accessed at home or in a familiar setting. Safe storage saves lives.

Steps Families Can Take

If firearms are present in your home or vehicles, we strongly encourage these safety practices:

Store firearms locked using safes, lock boxes or trigger locks.
Keep firearms unloaded when not in use.
Lock ammunition separately from firearms.
Talk with your children or teens about never handling firearms and telling a trusted adult if they encounter one.

Safety Is a Shared Responsibility

We also know that strong relationships and open communication are powerful protective factors. Students who feel connected to trusted adults are more likely to speak up if something concerns them. Encouraging young people to “see something, say something” — whether to a parent, teacher, counselor or other trusted adult — can make a real difference in preventing harm.

Our schools continuously review safety procedures, supports and resources. While there is no single solution, we remain committed to strengthening safety, expanding mental health supports and building environments where every student feels secure, valued and connected.

Supporting One Another

We know families may be having difficult conversations right now. Healing takes time, and everyone processes events differently. Checking in with your students, listening to their concerns and keeping conversations open can help them feel reassured and supported.

Here are some more resources to support conversations at home: