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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🎉 Our new website is live! We've made it easier than ever to find practical information and resources on secure gun storage. Whether you're looking for tips, tools, or guidance to help keep kids safe, the resources you need are just a click away! Take a moment to explore: besmartforkids.org

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Be SMART for Kids @besmartforkids.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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

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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

Officials have not said how the teens accessed the gun, but we know that taking a few simple steps to secure guns in homes and vehicles can prevent these unspeakable tragedies. Learn more at besmartforkids.org

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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

Every month, at least two children gain access to a gun inside a vehicle and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. Securing guns in vehicles can and does prevent these tragedies.

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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

We cannot expect a child to be the last line of defense between themselves and a loaded gun. The onus is on ADULTS to secure guns in homes AND vehicles — stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

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

And, in Sandy, Utah, a 5-year-old child died after finding a loaded gun and discharging it. Police called the shooting a “tragic accident,” but had simple steps been taken to secure the weapon, this child would still be alive.

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

In Columbus, Ohio, a young girl was wounded when she accessed an unsecured gun and discharged it. A surgeon who treated the girl said, “In trauma care, it’s probably the hardest thing when you’re treating injuries that are ones that could have been completely prevented.”

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

In Raleigh, North Carolina, two children under the age of 3 gained access to an unsecured firearm inside a home. The gun fired, striking one child in the arm. The child’s father was charged in connection to the shooting.

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

In St. Ann, Missouri, a 3-year-old shot himself in the hand after accessing a gun inside a home. A man was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

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

A 3-year-old in Hooksett, New Hampshire found a gun inside a vehicle parked in a driveway and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The child was flown to a Boston hospital with serious injuries.

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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

Store firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition. Together, we can make secure storage the norm and help keep our kids safe.

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

This SMART Week, start the conversation with friends, family, and neighbors about securing firearms in homes and vehicles. Remind them that firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens in the US — and that secure storage can and does save lives.

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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

This SMART Week, join us in urging gun owners to secure their guns in homes and vehicles — stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition. It could help save a life.

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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

This SMART Week, help spread the word about the dangers of unsecured weapons so no child dies in this senseless way. Learn how: besmartforkids.org/smart-week

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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

This SMART Week, help raise awareness about this heartbreaking problem by urging your peers to secure or relocate guns when a child or teen in their care is in crisis.

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

But there is hope: Securing guns or relocating them altogether can create time and distance between a young person in crisis, allowing time for the crisis to pass or for help to intervene.

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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

This SMART Week, as kids head back to school and develop new friendships, make sure secure gun storage is part of every safety discussion. Learn more about having these conversations by texting SMART to 644-33!

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

Just like asking about pets, allergies, pools, or adult supervision, knowing if there are guns in the home and how they are stored can help determine whether your child will be safe. And the conversation does not have to be hard. It can be as simple as making a quick call or sending a text.

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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

This SMART Week, help keep kids and teens safe by reminding your peers that securing guns should be standard practice — at home and on the go. Learn more: buff.ly/NBWl0Kg #BeSMART

besmartforkids.org

Secure Gun Storage in Vehicles | Be SMART

Securely storing guns in vehicles is a simple, effective way to protect our children and communities and prevent theft and crime.

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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

It is always an adult’s responsibility to prevent access to guns — not a child’s responsibility to avoid them. This SMART Week, talk to your kids about gun safety, but remember to also secure guns in homes and vehicles, stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.

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

Children and teens are naturally curious and very resourceful. You can’t be sure that they will not find and handle guns, even if you’ve told them not to.

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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

Secure storage means keeping guns unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition in order to prevent kids and teens from accessing them. It’s a simple yet effective way to prevent unintentional shootings, gun suicide, school shootings, and other acts of gun violence. Help spread the word!

besmartforkids.org

SMART Week 2026 | Be SMART

Join us for SMART Week to educate communities on secure firearm storage and the simple steps that everyone can take to prevent gun violence.

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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

✅ Secure all guns in homes and vehicles ✅ Model responsible behavior around guns ✅ Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes your child visits ✅ Recognize the role of guns in suicide ✅ Tell your peers to #BeSMART Learn how you can get involved: besmartforkids.org/smart-week

besmartforkids.org

SMART Week 2026 | Be SMART

Join us for SMART Week to educate communities on secure firearm storage and the simple steps that everyone can take to prevent gun violence.

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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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