Learning about gun safety is one of the most important ways to reduce the number of unintentional firearm-related deaths and injuries among children—and that’s exactly what the Project ChildSafe “S.A.F.E. Summer” campaign is all about. The National Shooting Sports Foundation and USA Shooting today announced that they will team up to promote firearms responsibility and provide safety education to gun owners nationwide.

“We stand beside the NSSF and the shooting sports industry in the promotion of firearms safety,” said Kevin Neuendorf, USA Shooting’s Director of Media & Public Relations. “The ability to serve as ambassadors for our sport and project this message of safety, awareness, responsibility and education is an obligation we take seriously. The future of the shooting sports depends on each of us doing our part to endorse, encourage and exercise safer gun handling and responsibility. 

Chartered by the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Shooting is a nonprofit organization that oversees the development of U.S. National Teams for international competition and promotes the shooting sports throughout the country, the press release states.  

“Nearly all firearm accidents in the home can be prevented when gun owners take simple precautions, and proper storage is the number one way to help prevent accidents,” NSFF President and CEO Steve Sanetti said. “We’re proud to partner with Team USA to help firearm owners become powerful voices in sharing safety messages with family members and others in their community.”

Together, NSSF and Team USA Shooting will participate in a series of upcoming events as part of Project ChildSafe’s “S.A.F.E. Summer Campaign,” with “S.A.F.E.” serving as an acronym for Secure your firearms when not in use; BeAware of those around you who should not have unauthorized access to guns; Focus on your responsibility as a firearm owner; and Educate yourself and others about safe firearm handling and storage.

The S.A.F.E. Summer campaign focuses on equipping gun owners to take responsible action to help keep their families and communities safer, particularly while children are home from school and more likely to be unattended. While children are a focus, Project ChildSafe is intended to help young people and adults practice greater firearm safety in the home. More information is available at www.projectchildsafe.org.

“Teaching your children firearm safety and properly securing your firearms MUST go hand in hand. Respect, education and security are the first steps to keeping firearms out of the unwanted hands,” two-time Olympian Corey Cogdell said.