2025 Firearm Locks and Safes Distribution Pilot Program

 
 

The purpose of this pilot program is to assess the effectiveness of safe storage policies by supporting our pilot SAFE medical school chapters as they are responsible for distributing firearm safes and locks to our local communities. In doing so, we can analyze and learn more about how safe storage policies can be improved upon based on evidence-based research.


Our SAFE chapters are responsible for the following:

  • Each chapter must raise $7,500 (based on their own established timeline) to purchase the safes/locks and host community events.

  • Each chapter must provide at least 200 firearm safes/locks by the end of the academic year.


We will measure the success of our program based on the following objectives:

  • The extent to which the SAFE chapter can foster community relationships between medical students and:

    • Faculty, Local Physicians, Hospital Violence Intervention Programs, Government, Public Servants, People

  • The extent to which the SAFE chapter can distribute secure storage devices and promote culture of safe storage and responsibility

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Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. How should SAFE chapters plan to meet the $7,500 fundraising goal?

    Consider asking 1) chapter members, 2) medical school faculty, 3) STEM undergraduate departments and other graduate departments, and 4) University Development Office to contribute.

    Host fundraiser events on and off-campus: 1) Collaborate with local chains or small businesses on organized fundraising programs, where a small percentage of sales is donated to SAFE (e.g., Chipotle); 2) Utilize fundraising platforms such as GoFundMe; and 3) Collaborate with other student organizations within the medical school to target different populations that have a common interest in safe storage.

  2. Are SAFE chapters responsible for purchasing the firearm locks and safes? If so, where should they purchase it?



  3. Does SAFE HQ provide any resources on how to plan the locks distribution events?



  4. How can SAFE chapters reach out and foster community relationships?