Raleigh — Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed June 1–7 as North Carolina S.A.F.E. Week of Action, marking the fourth year of a statewide push to promote safe firearm storage and reduce preventable injuries and deaths.
The initiative — NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) — is led by the N.C. Department of Public Safety in partnership with community groups, health organizations, schools, and law enforcement agencies across the state.
Governor’s Message
- Gov. Josh Stein: “An unlocked gun is a tragedy waiting to happen, and too often, it does.”
- Emphasized the role of responsible storage in preventing accidental shootings, suicides, and youth access to firearms.
- Reinforced his administration’s commitment to public safety, including proposed raises for law enforcement and expanded opioid‑treatment programs in correctional facilities.
State Officials on the Importance of Safe Storage
- William Lassiter, DPS Deputy Secretary: “Safe firearm storage is one of the simplest steps we can take to prevent tragedies before they happen.”
- Said NC S.A.F.E. is expanding awareness and making safety resources more accessible statewide.
Key Data Driving the Initiative
- 92 firearm‑related child deaths in North Carolina in 2024
- 525 emergency department visits for children due to firearm injuries
- Nearly 11,000 firearms stolen statewide from 2019–2024
- Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children
- In 2025:
- 1,320 juveniles charged with firearm‑related offenses
- 176 school‑based firearm incidents recorded
- 42% of North Carolinians keep a firearm at home
- At least 24% of loaded household firearms are kept unlocked
- Safe storage practices can reduce unintentional deaths by 59%
- An estimated 32% of youth firearm suicides and accidental deaths could be prevented through secure storage
Week of Action Activities
- Free gun locks and safe‑storage materials distributed statewide
- Events planned in: Buncombe, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Jackson, Jones, Pitt, and Surry counties
- Local partners hosting conversations, demonstrations, and safety‑awareness events
- NC S.A.F.E. has distributed more than 175,000 gun locks since launching in 2023
About NC S.A.F.E.
- Statewide initiative launched in 2023
- Focuses on education, safe‑storage resources, and community outreach
- Not affiliated with any advocacy‑based gun‑policy organizations
- Provides guidance on:
- Locking devices
- Safe storage in homes and vehicles
- Preventing youth access
- Reducing theft and improper use
Proclamation Highlights
- Safe storage prevents theft, suicide, accidental shootings, and youth misuse
- Firearm deaths represent a public safety and public health crisis
- More than two‑thirds of violent deaths in 2021 were firearm‑related
- Veterans face higher firearm‑suicide rates than the general population
- Many NC students report they can access a loaded gun within an hour without adult permission
- Governor Stein formally proclaimed June 1–7, 2026 as North Carolina S.A.F.E. Week of Action
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