How many more headlines must we read? Help take action to protect children by securing firearms

Be SMART and get a free gun safe and gun cable locks on Oct. 18

Firearms are now the leading cause of death among children in the United States, according to nonprofit health policy organization KFF, and a recent study by the Colorado School of Public Health found that one-third of CO teens said they could lay their hands on a loaded weapon.

This is why it’s more important than ever for parents and caregivers to know how secure firearm storage works. 

It’s simple and free - thanks to an upcoming event organized by the Boulder Rotary Club – to help keep your family safe and prevent tragedies.

The Boulder Valley School District encourages everyone to Be SMART, which stands for:

Secure all guns in your home and vehicles
Model responsible behavior around guns
Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes
Recognize the role of guns in suicide
Tell your peers to be SMART

In October, the Boulder Rotary Club will be holding an event to support this effort. They are giving away home and car gun safes, as well as cable locks to help keep firearms in our community secure.

Free Gun Safe And Gun Cable Lock Giveaway Event

When: Saturday, October 18 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (or until supplies run out)

Where: Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital Campus, 4747 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder (West Parking Lot between Tebo Medical Pavilion and Anderson Medical Center)

Registration is not required—just show up.

For more information, visit www.boulderrotary.org.

Constance Holden and her husband, TK Smith, who organized this event and chair the Boulder Rotary Club Gun Violence Prevention Committee, say they were motivated to “do something” out of concern for the health and wellbeing of their six grandkids. 

“Hearing our grandchildren talk about doing active shooter drills over Easter brunch [inspired us],” explained Holden. “TK and I are also disturbed by the finding that more teens die of suicide than car accidents.”

“Too often, teens have access to their parents’ weapons,” Holden added.

“Taking the steps to secure firearms is easy and the safety of our children and grandchildren depends on it,”  said Norma Portnoy, a member of the Boulder Rotary Club Gun Violence Prevention Committee.