Check out our Summer Mom Says Newsletter!

June's 5280 Magazine has an article on why guns still hold such a fascination for us, Gunland, by Eli Gottlieb

One question can save your child's life!  Learn more about ASK!

Important Announcement to Safeguard Your Child

¡19 MILLONES de Padres de Familia Hacen Esta Pregunta!  ¿Y Usted?

Click for English/Spanish Brochure ->  ASK <-Tecleo para el folleto de English/Spanish 

June 21^st is the first day of summer, a time of year when children play more often in other homes. It is also National ASK Day. 

Why should you ASK if there is a gun before letting your child play at a friend’s house?

Nine (up from eight) children die every day in America in gun-related incidents.   And over 48 (up from 37) additional children and teens are seriously injured by firearms every day. (1) Over 40% of homes with children have a gun.  In only 25% of those homes are guns locked.  (2)

Just talking to your child about the dangers of firearms is not enough. Children are curious.  Chances are they can find your gun, even if it’s hidden.  Think about how easily they can find hidden birthday or holiday presents.  Even the best-behaved children tend to play or explore with firearms when they find them unattended.  Older kids are also susceptible to peer pressure with boys between the ages of 8 to 12 particularly at risk.  A gun is no different.

Don’t be afraid to ASK.  97% of parents who owned a gun said they would not feel uncomfortable if asked about the presence of a gun in their home by another parent. (3) Be respectful and non-confrontational.  ASK along with other questions.  For example, if your child were allergic to cats, you would ask if the other child has a cat in the home. 

So ASK--is there a gun in the home?  If the answer is no, that’s one less thing to worry about.  If the answer is yes, ask if the gun is safely stored.  We recommend a gun box or safe with the ammunition locked separately.  If you have any doubts about the safety of someone's home, you should politely invite the children to play at your house instead or make a play date in the park.

For more information, contact us at  mmm_denver_chapter@yahoo.com or at  303-302-3300.

Additional Links: 

• ASK Campaign

• Guns and Children

• CDC – National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

 Sources:

(1)  WISQARS, Injury Mortality Reports, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control, 2006 data, http://webapp.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate10_sy.html (hereafter Injury Mortality Reports). 

(2)  ASK brochure

(3)  Benenson Strategy Group survey for PAX of parents with children age 5-14, July, 2002

 

Brady State Report Cards are out, Check out Colorado's Grade.

Senate Bill introduced to Close the Gun Show Loophole.

Brady report available:

• No Gun Left Behind (the move to put guns in our schools)

Tougher gun laws are better politics than you think - Read It Takes a Bubba in Slate.

Did you know that 1% of licensed gun dealers account for 60% of guns used in crime?

• Read all the Brady Reports at Gun Industry Watch.