Education on Firearm Injury Prevention Policy

SAFE strongly supports evidence-based policy THAT PROMOTES RESPONSIBLE FIREARM OWNERSHIP while respecting the second amendment. To decrease the devastating loss of life attributable to firearm injuries, we urge policy-makers to ENACT AND ENFORCE:

Comprehensive Child Access Prevention (CAP) Laws, also known as Safe Storage Laws, which prevent children from accessing firearms
Additional education for firearm owners in homes with children
A minimum safe firearm storage requirement

Learn About Your State’s Secure Storage Laws

Map Key

Secure Storage Grade:

A - CAP law applies ages 18 and under AND if child could access firearm AND requires secure storage of firearm when not under immediate control of user.
B - CAP law applies ages 18 and under AND if child could access firearm; NO required safe storage of firearm when not under user’s immediate control.
C - CAP law applies ages 18 and under BUT only after child accesses the firearm.
D - CAP law below the age of 18 AND if the child could access the firearm.
E - CAP law below age 18 AND only after child accesses firearm.
F - No Law

Education on Policy Series:
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Pilot Efforts

This 6-part series will prepare medical students and healthcare professionals to be knowledgeable and effective advocates for evidence-based secure firearm storage and child access prevention policies.

Think critically and independently about the secure storage law in your state
Articulate: Should my state law be changed? If so, why and how?

Medical Students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Register for Session 4!

In the session on Wednesday, September 17 at Noon Central Time, hosted by the SAFE chapter student leaders at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin, will be an educational and feedback session on communicating with legislators who are likely to be supportive of improving secure storage law and how to engage them.

Dr. Susie MacLean, a retired physician on SAFE’s National Board of Directors with extensive experience as a secure firearm storage policy advocate in her home state of California, will be presenting, along with Nick Matuszewski from Wisconsin Anti Violence Effort (WAVE). Joining them is a Government Relations specialist from Giffords Law Center.

This is state-by-state work. All are welcome, regardless of what state you are from or currently live in

Watch Session I

Session I: February 17, 2025

Current state of affairs in the US regarding secure firearm storage laws, (federal laws and range of state laws) giving learners a framework and resources to evaluate their state’s law.

Watch Session II

Session II: March 28, 2025

Education on the evidence that secure storage laws work followed by a discussion of how to use that in messaging.

Watch Session III

Session III: April 21, 2025

Coaching on tone and the power of storytelling, sharing anecdotes, perseverance, and how it relates to the importance of relationship building with legislative aides.

Other Upcoming Policy Events

DATE: Tuesday, September 9, 8 PM Eastern Time/5 PM Pacific

One of SAFE’s two annual events that are open to all clinicians and trainees. Brian H. Williams, MD, FACS, is a member of SAFE’s National Board of Directors, and will share the critical shift from federal to state policies in firearm injury prevention work.

Dr. Williams is a trauma surgeon, a USAF veteran, former congressional health policy advisor, and nationally recognized expert in gun violence prevention and healthcare disparities; writer and bestselling author of "The Bodies Keep Coming"

Click Here to Register

- Morral, A. R. et al. The Science of Gun Policy. (2018). Available at: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2088.html. (Accessed: 16th July 2018)
  - Implementation of background checks has been shown to reduce firearm suicides and homicides.
  - Child-access prevention laws have demonstrated reductions in self-inflicted fatal or nonfatal firearm injuries amongst youth.
- Webster DW, Wilson ME, Duggan AK, et al. Parents’ beliefs about preventing gun injuries to children. Pediatrics. 1992; 89(5 Pt 1):908–914.
  - Parent firearm owners often have unrealistic perceptions of children’s capabilities and behavioral tendencies with regard to guns.
- Grossman, David C., et al. "Gun storage practices and risk of youth suicide and unintentional firearm injuries." Jama 293.6 (2005)
  - Keeping gun locked and unloaded, and storing ammunition locked and in a separate location are associated with a protective effect on youth suicide and unintentional firearm injuries.
- Shenassa ED, Rogers ML, Spalding KL, et al. Safer storage of firearms at home and risk of suicide: a study of protective factors in a nationally representative sample. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2004;58(10):841–848.
  - Those who stored firearms locked or unloaded were less likely to commit suicide by firearms.
- Miller, Matthew, et al. "Firearm storage practices and rates of unintentional firearm deaths in the United States." Accident Analysis & Prevention 37.4 (2005): 661-667.
  - A disproportionately large share of unintentional firearm fatalities occurred in states where gun owners were more likely to store their firearms loaded or unlocked.
- Giffords Law Center - To Prevent Gun Violence. “Annual Gun Law Scorecard”. https://giffords.org/lawcenter/resources/scorecard/