Partnership for Safety of Children Around Firearms Launches
Store it Safe Campaign
Columbus, OHIO – The Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) has teamed up with firearm owners, pediatricians and others to create the Partnership for Safety of Children Around Firearms, and a pilot program called Store it Safe, to encourage safe storage of firearms and educate families about safety issues.
“Twenty-five percent of Ohio counties have had gun-related accidental injuries and deaths in children under 18 since 2015,” said Melissa Wervey Arnold, CEO, Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics. “It was clear we needed to address this growing issue and pull resources from other organizations to form this first-of-its-kind partnership.”
The Partnership has been founded on the belief that gun ownership is a personal choice. It will not engage in debating firearm owner rights. The Partnership includes the Buckeye Firearms Association, Black Wing Shooting Center, Kiwanis Club of Columbus and many other interested parties.
The goals of the Partnership are to:
· Prevent firearm-related, unintentional deaths and suicides among children and teens
· Change the approach in talking about firearm safety
· Store it Safe and teach children safety around firearms
Kiwanis Club of Columbus has provided $10,000 to purchase gun lock boxes that will be handed out at 2 and 3-year-old well-visit check-ups in several pediatric offices in central Ohio.
“We believe strongly in the second amendment, but we also believe in being a responsible gun owner and protecting our children,” said Gerard Valentino, co-founder, Buckeye Firearms Association. “This partnership is unique and we’re thrilled to be part of it and have all parties at the table to discuss gun safety.”
For more information about gun safety and Ohio AAP’s initiatives, visit: http://ohioaap.org/firearmsafety.
The Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) promotes the health, safety and well-being of children and adolescents so they may reach their full potential. The Ohio AAP works to accomplish this by addressing the needs of children, their families, and their communities, and by supporting Chapter members through advocacy, education, research, service, and improving the systems through which they deliver pediatric care. For more information, visit www.ohioaap.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Hayley Southworth, Ohio AAP, 614–846-6258,