“Child access to firearms is an increasingly urgent issue across North Carolina,” according to an email from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

In 2023, NC S.A.F.E., a nonpartisan initiative focused on safe storage of firearms, launched. The initiative is run by the N.C. Department of Public Safety. NC S.A.F.E. for Schools is a new program designed specifically for school districts. This program will help districts share relevant, timely information with parents.

According to the website, nearly 30% of high school students said it would take them less than an hour to get — and be ready to fire — a loaded gun without a parent or other adult’s permission, and firearms are now the leading cause of injury-related death for youth in North Carolina.

Throughout the school year, six toolkits will be shared with districts. Each toolkit contains — in both English and Spanish — a featured resource, shareable content, and social media graphics.

The first toolkit is a parent’s guide to firearm storage.

According to the website, “The parent flyer is for all parents or guardians, whether they own a gun or not. It highlights the importance of secure firearm storage and provides simple, tangible steps any parent or guardian can take to make their home, school, and community safer.”

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