To the editor:

Thank you to the Bristol Warren School Committee for adopting a secure storage resolution at their April 17 meeting. This resolution will help educate parents and guardians of school age children of the importance of securing firearms to keep them out of the hands of children or anyone with suicidal thoughts.

With combined research from Everytown for Gun Safety, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, Homeland Security, the Center for Disease Control and the US Secret Service come the following facts:

• In 80% of gun violence incidents, guns used by shooters under the age of 18 were obtained from their home, a friend’s home or a relative’s home.
• In all incidents of targeted school violence – 100 % – there were warning signs that caused others to be concerned.
• More than one-third of child gun deaths are suicides.
• Guns should be safely secured, not only in homes, but also in vehicles or any other place where they are stored. Secure storage means keeping guns unloaded, separate from ammunition and locked with cable locks, lock boxes or firearm safes.
• Approximately 4.6 million children live in a household with at least 1 gun that is stored, while unlocked and loaded.
• So far, in 2023, there have been 42 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, causing 17 deaths and 32 injuries.
• Gun violence recently surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for American children.

Children deserve to feel safe, no matter where they are. By raising awareness of the importance of secure gun storage, our children and whole community will be safer. It is easier to child-proof a gun than bullet-proof a child.

Susan Morettini
46 Highland Road, Bristol