RALEIGH, N.C. — The NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) is hosting the second annual NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) Week of Action from June 2 to June 8.
Through the NC S.A.F.E. initiative, NCDPS demonstrates its commitment to improving the lives of all North Carolinians.
The following statistics highlight the need for safe gun storage:
- According to FBI data, the rate of gun theft from cars is three times as high as it was 10 years ago.
- North Carolina has 10 of the top 100 U.S. cities for reports of gun thefts from cars. In 2022, more than 2,500 guns were stolen from vehicles throughout the state.
- Firearms are the leading cause of injury-related death among North Carolina youth.
- In a 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey, nearly 30% of North Carolina high school students reported it would take them less than an hour to get, and be ready to fire, a loaded gun without an adult's permission.
Gun owners in North Carolina have the power to change these statistics and prevent future tragedies.
The first year of the NC S.A.F.E. campaign resulted in more than 85 million advertising and social media impressions and nearly 153,000 visits to the NC S.A.F.E. website.
Participating law enforcement agencies plan to give away at least 65,000 free gun locks. Free gun locks will be given out at Hallelujah Baptist Church in High Point on Monday at 3 p.m.
Visit ncsafe.org to find a safety checklist; resources for parents, schools, and pediatricians; and more.