Be SMART Gun Safety Presentation
UU Society of Geneva
Kane County Sheriff's Office, Be SMART and UUSG Promote Secure Gun Storage
To help educate and promote safety regarding firearm storage, UUSG has invited Be SMART and the Kane County Sheriff's office to share insight and advice with both gun owners and non-gun owners. Please join us for this special free presentation on Friday, December 12, 7-8 p.m. at UUSG. UUSG members and friends who RSVP by Dec. 10 are invited to join us beforehand for pizza before the event at 6 pm. Sign up here!
Both gun and non-gun owners are encouraged to attend as it is important to ask about the presence and storage method of firearms in homes your children and teens visit.
Two presentations will run simultaneously, one for adults and another for children and youth, grades K-12. Both are packed with facts, with the goal being safety through education.
The presentation for adults highlights the importance of securely storing guns. Over 200,000 firearms are stolen annually in the US, with most of those being from vehicles. Steve McHugh, Kane/Kendall Be SMART Lead and Illinois Chapter Be SMART Co-Lead shares, "This is all about pro-safety and being responsible gun owners and parents. Look no further than the fact that firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the US, and suicide by firearm has risen more among 10-19 year olds than any other age group," shared McHugh.
Be SMART shares ways adults can model responsible behavior and ask about unsecured guns in homes our kids visit. We will also cover details of new Secure Storage laws that go into effect on January 1.
During the Be SMART presentation for adults, Sergeant James Thrun, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, will be meeting with children and youth, grades K-12. Sgt. Thrun is in charge of Kane's training and firearms division. Thrun and Deputy Eric Gustafson will share a curated message to kids, teaching and discussing gun and other safety measures. Sgt. Thrun shared, “The element we can control is preparedness through firearms safety and education, for both firearms owners, and their families alike."
Be SMART is a program developed by Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund to bring together parents and all adults concerned about kids, guns, and safety. More information can be found at: BeSMARTforKids.org.