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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 2h

Secure gun storage is not complicated — it's common sense.

Reposted by Be SMART for Kids

Moms Demand Action @momsdemandaction.org · 28/09/2026

We know that three quarters of all school shooters acquire their firearms from a parent or the home of a relative. This is entirely preventable by taking a few simple steps to secure guns in homes and vehicles — stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

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Reposted by Be SMART for Kids

Moms Demand Action @momsdemandaction.org · 28/09/2026

A 13-year-old student armed with a handgun and a large knife shot and wounded a special education teacher just outside Highland Middle School in Hobbs, New Mexico on Friday. The student had been inside for morning classes prior to the shooting.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

🔒 Thousands of homes in Anne Arundel County, Maryland are safer thanks to free gun locks distributed through a partnership between the Health Department and public libraries. Secure storage saves lives, and making gun locks free and accessible helps make that possible!

thebanner.com

A milestone in community safety: Over 12,000 free gun locks distributed in Anne Arundel County

Every day in Anne Arundel County, we work to build a safer, healthier and stronger community. Sometimes, that work takes the form of community health or educational programs. Other times, it looks lik...

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

“Kids are, by nature, curious, so when they see things, they grab things,” said a local police lieutenant after a 2-year-old child gained access to a gun in an Idaho home and discharged it, killing the toddler. Now, a 19-year-old is facing charges because he failed to secure his gun.

kivitv.com

Nampa toddler's accidental shooting death leads to manslaughter charge, gun safety warning

A 2-year-old's accidental shooting death at a Nampa mobile home park is drawing attention to gun safety after prosecutors charged a 19-year-old with involuntary manslaughter and injury to a child.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The most important question left unanswered: How did a third grader get access to a firearm? This incident is a stark reminder of how critical it is for adults to secure guns in homes and vehicles — stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

fox17online.com

Gun in 3rd-grade student's backpack discharges at Battle Creek school

A 3rd-grade student at Ann J. Kellogg Elementary School brought a gun to school in their backpack on Tuesday and it discharged, district officials say.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Yet another child’s life has been cut short because two teens were able to access a firearm. Eleven-year-old Cristian Oliva Calderon was shot when a gun the teens were “playing with” discharged over the weekend. His family said Cristian has succumbed to his injuries.

wdrbwave.com

11-year-old boy dies after weekend shooting in Louisville’s Watterson Park neighborhood, family says

LMPD said the shooting happened at a mobile home community just after 7 p.m. Saturday.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

PREVENTABLE: A two-year-old found a loaded gun in the center console of their father’s vehicle and discharged it, wounding the toddler. The man is now facing charges.

who13.com

https://who13.com/news/iowa-news/iowa-father-charged-after-toddler-fires-gun-and-injures-himself/

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

We are so grateful to libraries across the country that are going the extra mile to ensure people in their communities are able to secure their guns. It takes a village to keep our families and communities safe from gun violence, and we can all play a role. 💚💜

thetrace.org

Need a Gun Lock? Ask Your Local Librarian.

Across the country, libraries are giving out safe storage devices, often for free.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Smart move, DuPage County, Illinois! Providing free gun safes to community members makes secure storage more accessible for families — a practical step toward safer homes, schools, and communities!

nctv17.org

DuPage County Board funds gun safe distribution at upcoming event | NCTV17

The DuPage County Board recently allocated $25,000 toward the purchase of 325 gun safes that will be distributed to residents.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Yet another child’s life was cut short due to an unsecured firearm. Adults have a responsibility to ensure guns are stored securely — unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition. Taking a few simple steps can prevent these heartbreaking tragedies.

cbsnews.com

Young girl dies after accidental shooting with unsecured gun in Fort Worth, police say

Police say the child, believed to be 3 to 5 years old, was taken to a hospital after officers responded to an apartment complex.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Think a small child can’t pull a trigger? Think again. In just the past few days, we’ve seen too many heartbreaking reminders of what can happen when a gun is left accessible to young children.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

SMART Week may be over but the conversation must go on. Keeping children and teens safe is a year-round responsibility, and we all play an important role. Let’s keep the momentum going by continuing to educate, encourage, and support one another in spreading this critical message. #BeSMART

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 #BeSMART Visionaries, whose leadership, commitment, and advocacy have been instrumental in advancing secure gun storage education. Thank you for starting conversations, inspiring action, and showing us that we all can make a difference in keeping our communities safe.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The letter T in #BeSMART stands for telling your friends and neighbors to Be SMART. Keeping children and teens safe is a shared responsibility, and each of us can help by talking openly about the importance of secure firearm storage.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Millions of children are being put at risk because the adults in their lives are not taking simple steps to secure their firearms. Every year, nearly 360 children gain access to these firearms and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. These tragedies are preventable. #BeSMART

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Yet another child’s life is over before it began due to an unsecured gun. This heartbreaking tragedy could have been prevented by taking a few simple steps to secure the gun — stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

hoodline.com

Jacksonville Toddler Dies After Finding Unsecured Gun at Home

A two-year-old boy is dead after finding an unsecured gun in his Northside Jacksonville home. Police call it a preventable tragedy.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

This SMART Week, people from all walks of life are coming together to spread a critically important message with their communities: Secure storage saves lives. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, physician, educator, gun owner, or simply someone cares about keeping kids safe, your voice matters.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The letter R in #BeSMART stands for recognizing the role of guns in suicide. For so many families, having a gun accessible during a time of crisis has resulted in an irreversible tragedy.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

When guns are left accessible to children and teens, it can be deadly. This SMART Week, join us in shining a light on these preventable tragedies by urging gun owners in your life to secure their firearms in homes and vehicles, stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

knoe.com

15-year-old killed in Vidalia after playing with a loaded gun

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The letter A in #BeSMART stands for asking about the presence of unsecured firearms in homes your child visits. Before sending your child to a friend's or relative’s home, it’s not only okay to ask this question, it’s essential.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Secure storage matters wherever children may encounter a gun — including in vehicles. A gun left under a seat, in an unlocked glove box or center console, or in a door compartment can be accessed by anyone — no matter how well you think it’s hidden. #BeSMART

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The letter M in #BeSMART stands for modeling responsible behavior around guns. Parents and caregivers who have guns in their homes or vehicles should speak with their children about what to do if they encounter a gun, but these conversations are a precaution only and come with no guarantees.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The S in Be SMART stands for securing guns in homes and vehicles. Simply storing a gun in a drawer, on a shelf, under a mattress, or in a vehicle’s console is NOT secure storage.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

It’s SMART Week, a time to come together to spread the word about the importance of secure gun storage to prevent gun violence. This week, we’ll be sharing the simple steps that everyone — gun owners and non-gun owners alike — can take to make our homes, schools, and communities safer. #BeSMART

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Unintentional shootings by children are not accidental — they’re preventable. Always ask if guns are present in the homes your children visit, and confirm how the owner stores it to help save lives.

localmemphis.com

Gun safety tips everyone can take to keep guns away from children

ABC24's Alicia Renea speaks with gun safety advocates to break down how everyone can keep guns out of the hands of children.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

This week, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval formally proclaimed August 24-28, 2026 as SMART Week in Cincinnati — a call to action urging adults to help keep kids, classrooms, and communities safe by raising awareness about secure gun storage!

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

SMART Week is just around the corner! From Aug. 24-28, join us in shining a light on the importance of secure gun storage as kids head back to school. You don’t have to own a gun to be a part of this critical conversation. Learn how you can participate: besmartforkids.org/smart-week #BeSMART

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Reposted by Be SMART for Kids

Moms Demand Action @momsdemandaction.org · 19/08/2026

OUTRAGEOUS: A 6-year-old child brought a loaded AR-style pistol onto a South Carolina elementary school bus this week. The child’s mother is facing charges for failing to secure the weapon.

postandcourier.com

Midlands 6-year-old brought AR pistol on school bus. How did the child have access?

A parent faces charges after a gun was allegedly removed from a 6-year-old’s possession on a bus heading to a Midlands school.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

“Even as a community, we have to do more and be responsible. We have to tell our friends, whoever you see with a weapon... ‘You got kids, put that up’’” - Terrell Foxe, Lowrance K-8’s PTA president

actionnews5.com

5-year-old boy dead after shooting self in head, family says

A man is detained after an accidental shooting left a five-year-old boy dead Monday afternoon in Southeast Shelby County.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

As kids head back to school, we're raising awareness about the steps adults can take to secure firearms and prevent gun violence — at school, at home, and in our communities. Learn how you can help spread this important message during SMART Week, Aug. 24-28: besmartforkids.org/smart-week #BeSMART

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Failing to secure guns has resulted in the death and injury of countless children, their friends, and family members. Don’t be forced to live with this devastating regret. Ensure guns are secured in homes and vehicles — stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

wvtm13.com

‘I wish I had locked it up’: Bessemer father mourns 5-year-old son after accidental shooting

5-year-old Julian Green died just days before his sixth birthday after accidentally shooting himself with a gun his father says he normally kept locked up. Now, Julian's father is speaking exclusively...

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Don't think your child knows where your gun is hidden? Think again. Kids are naturally curious and resourceful, and they can find guns adults believe are safely out of reach. That's why it's so important to secure firearms in homes and vehicles — unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This is not an isolated incident. With alarming regularity, children and teens bring guns to school that are left accessible by a parent or relative. It’s critical that gun owners secure their weapons in homes and vehicles to prevent these incidents, which can have deadly consequences.

wsbtv.com

Georgia elementary school student caught with gun in backpack on first day of class

It was found just before dismissal.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Police said they will not press charges against a mother whose gun was used by her 13-year-old to kill his 14-year-old stepsister, citing that the gun was “not readily accessible and was out of sight.”

ktxs.com

13-year-old allegedly shot, killed 14-year-old stepsister

A 13-year-old boy was arrested and charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed his 14-year-old stepsister.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

"I want asking safety questions to become second nature before the stakes get bigger. I want my son to see that it’s okay to advocate for safety, even when it feels uncomfortable. Most of all, I want him to know that love sometimes looks like doing hard things." - Madeliene Clark

indianapolismoms.com

The Playdate Question I Hate Asking

Explore the important topic of asking about guns at playdates to ensure your child’s safety during their visits.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Even the youngest of children can, and do, access firearms and pull the trigger. In fact, preschoolers ages five and younger are among the most likely to unintentionally shoot themselves or others. These tragedies are preventable by storing guns unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

firstcoastnews.com

Jacksonville toddler dies in accidental shooting; police investigate firearm access

A 2-year-old boy's accidental shooting: investigation underway

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Moms Demand Action volunteers in Akron, Ohio partnered with a barber college and other community organizations to put together Be SMART bags with a gun lock, secure storage information, and merch to hand out to local businesses for the Summer Safety lock up initiative.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

We do this work because a 5-year-old child unintentionally shooting themselves shouldn’t be normal — but in America, it’s an all-too-common reality.

hoodline.com

New Palestine 5-Year-Old Shoots Self, Rushed To Riley In Midday Scare

5-year-old sent to Riley after accidental New Palestine shooting. Investigation ongoing.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

One of the worst possible outcomes of leaving a gun unsecured is the serious injury or death of someone you love. But there are other serious consequences to unsecured guns, like a teen using your firearm to carry out a school shooting, or a gun being stolen from your vehicle and used in a crime.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Another young life will never be the same because an adult failed to secure their firearm. Children depend on adults to make responsible choices — and securing firearms is among the most important.

myfox8.com

7-year-old boy accidentally shoots himself with Glock in North Carolina

A 7-year-old boy was found with gunshot wounds, but the injuries were non-life-threatening.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Storing a firearm between couch cushions is the height of irresponsible gun ownership. This tragedy could have been prevented by taking a few simple steps to secure the gun — stored unloaded, locked and separate from ammunition.

usatoday.com

Toddler dead after finding gun in a couch, shooting himself: Officials

The 2-year-old's mother and her boyfriend were home at the time of the shooting, and both were arrested, authorities said.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

It’s devastating that another preventable tragedy has stolen a 2-year-old’s life and forever changed a family and whole community. You may think your child can’t access your gun, but children are curious — not to mention resourceful — so it’s on adults to store their guns securely.

wftv.com

Osceola sheriff urges secure gun storage after deputies say 4-year-old fatally shot 2-year-old

Osceola County: 4-year-old accidentally shoots, kills 2-year-old. Sheriff urges safe gun storage after tragic incident.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Whatever rooms you’re in, wherever your community gathers, or wherever your child plays, is a good place to talk to others about secure gun storage.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Early in June, Dr. Fabienne Gray, a pediatric trauma surgeon with Manning Family Children's, went to Capitol Hill for the Children’s Hospital Association’s Community Health Showcase to talk about secure storage with congressional staffers and other children’s hospitals.

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Yet another child's life has been taken due to an unsecured gun — this time a 7-year-old in Winston-Salem, NC. Children can and do find guns in even the most inconspicuous places. That's why it's critical to secure guns in homes and vehicles, stored unloaded, locked and separate from ammunition.

myfox8.com

7-year-old killed in accidental shooting while home alone with sibling in Winston-Salem

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — The Winston-Salem Police Department is investigating an accidental shooting involving two children that led to the death of a 7-year-old boy. At around 5:05 p.m. on Sat…

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Reposted by Be SMART for Kids

Moms Demand Action @momsdemandaction.org · 29/06/2026

A 10-year-old is facing murder charges after accessing a gun that had been stored underneath a mattress and fatally shooting 7-month-old Kiyomi Parker. Investigators say the gun belonged to the infant's father and the boy knew where the gun was kept. The man is also facing criminal charges.

people.com

10-Year-Old Boy Charged with First-Degree Murder in Shooting Death of 7-Month-Old Girl

Kiyomi Parker, a 7-month-old girl, died in a shooting in St. Louis on June 26. A 10-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder. The girl’s 19-year-old father, Ca'Marion Pawnell, faces char...

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Summertime fun should not be marred by gun violence. Before arranging your child’s next playdate or sleepover, be sure to ask if there are guns in the home and if they are secured. Having this simple conversation could prevent a tragedy.

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