March 24, 2021 – Every Year, in the United States, 115,551 people are impacted by gun violence. Of those 115, 551 people, 7,957 are children between the ages of 1-17. Owning a firearm comes with a great commitment and responsibility. The #1 way to prevent firearm accidents and/or your firearm landing in the wrong hands is safe storage and handling.

1. Always keep the firearm’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to shoot.
3. Firearms should be unloaded when not in use.
4. Store your firearms in a locked cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case when not in use, ensuring they are in a location inaccessible by children and cannot be handled by anyone without your permission.
5. Store your ammunition in a locked location separate from firearms.
6. Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use.
7. Educate everyone in your family about firearms safety.

It is very important to talk to your children about the dangers of firearms. The York City Police Department utilizes the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety program to teach children what to do if they see a gun.

1. STOP!
2. DON’T TOUCH!
3. RUN AWAY!
4. TELL AN ADULT!

Be sure to talk openly and honestly with your child about gun safety. The discussion should be age appropriate and offer the child clear instructions about avoiding guns without adult supervision. Establishing rules and answering a child’s questions helps to remove the mystery. It is also advisable, especially with young children, to discuss gun use on television as opposed to gun use in real life. Guns are often carelessly handled in movies. It may be a mistake to think that your child understands that in real life people die from gunshots. This can be confusing to young children based on the fact that people in movies very often come back very shortly after being shot. It may be wise to discuss the difference in real life and movies.

If your child enjoys toy guns, you may want to use them to demonstrate safe gun handling and explain how they differ from genuine firearms. As a parent you want to ensure that there is no chance that your child mistake a real firearm for a toy firearm.

In a home where a gun is kept, the safety of the child rests squarely on the child’s parents. Parents who accept the responsibility to learn, practice and teach gun safety rules will ensure their child’s safety to a much great extent than those who do not. Parental responsibility does not end, however, when the child leaves the home. According to federal statistics over half of all homes in the U.S. have guns. Your child could come in contact with a gun even if no one you know has a gun. The safety of your child is a parent’s responsibility at home and when out of the home.

If you have a firearm you no longer want, you may turn it over to Police with no questions asked. You may also sell them through a licensed dealer.

The York City Police Department is working in partnership with “Project Child Safe” to offer FREE gun locks to those who need. If you are interested in a FREE gun lock you may request one by visiting Our Crime Watch page at York City Police Department | York County (crimewatchpa.com) or you may email Ms. Marrero at Jmarrero@yorkcity.org.

The York City Police Department is also working in partnership with the “Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program” for children in grades Pre-K through 4^th grade. If you are interested in Eddie Eagle materials for your child please contact Ms. Henney at Jhenney@yorkcity.org

You may also have your child visit the Eddie Eagle website where there are interactive games and activities they can do as well. The Eddie Eagle Tree House

Media Contact:

Lt. Michael Meeker

York City Police Department

Mmeeker@yorkcity.org

717-893-0882

Crime Prevention Officer:

Jackie Marrero

Jmarrero@yorkcity.org

717-849-2216

Youth and Community Outreach Coordinator:

Joan Henney

Jhenney@yorkcity.org

717-812-8383