The Question To Ask On June 21, And After
In America, nearly 1.7 million children live in a home with a loaded, unlocked gun,
and a staggering 33 percent of homes with children have a gun.
Every year, thousands of children are killed or seriously injured as a result.
As parents, we can protect those we love by arming ourselves with knowledge and
educating ourselves about very real health and safety issues that fuel unnecessary tragedy.
One way of arming ourselves with knowledge is by making sure to ASK if there are
guns where our children play. If the answer is no, then we have one less thing to worry about.
If it’s yes, then we need to ensure that the guns are stored, locked, and kept
separate from ammunition.
On Friday, June 21, 2013, organizations and individuals around the country will
celebrate National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day.
Held annually on the first day of summer, a season when children spend more
time in other homes, ASK Day reminds parents about the importance of asking
if there are guns in the homes where their children play.
Another resource for parents is the “Arm Yourself with Knowledge” Facebook Page,
which offers simple, empowering solutions to prevent youth violence by making
your home, family and community safer.
For more information or to participate in ASK day, email ask@cpyv.org, or visit
askingsaveskids.org
FACT SHEET________________________________________________
• An average of 8 kids and teens are killed by firearms every day and 42 additional
children and teens are seriously injured (Injury Mortality Reports, National Center
for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 2010; 2011).
• 27 children and teens are seriously injured by BB or pellet guns every day
(Injury Mortality Reports, 2011).
• Studies show that between 33% and 40% of American households with children
have guns (Johnson, Renee, “Firearm Ownership and Storage Practices, U.S. Households,
1992-2002.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 27, 2004; Peter Hart Research
Associates Poll, 1999, American Journal of Public Health, April 2000).
• 1 in 4 kids and teens whose parents own guns say they have seen or touched a gun
without their parents’ knowledge. (Global Strategy Group Youth Study commissioned
by CPYV, 2011).
• Almost 90 percent of accidental shootings involving children are linked to an
easy-to-find, loaded handgun in the house (Society of Pediatric Nurses, 1998).
• Eighty-eight percent of the children who are injured or killed in unintentional shootings
are shot in their own homes or in the homes of relatives or friends (Pediatrics 2005).
• 42% of parents with guns keep at least one unlocked; 25% keep at least one loaded,
and 14% keep one unlocked AND loaded (Global Strategy Group Parent Study
commissioned by CPYV, 2011).
• Over 75% of kids in homes with guns say they know where the gun is hidden
(Benenson Strategy Group Study commissioned by PAX, July 2002).
THE ASK SOLUTION__________________________________________
• Less than 50% of parents reported being concerned about guns in other homes,
but 79% would be concerned if they knew there was a gun in the home their child
was visiting (GSG Parent Study).
• Only 23% of parents said they had asked in the past, but by the end of the survey,
89% said ASKing was important (GSG Parent Study).
• 97% of parents who owned a gun said that they would not be offended if another
parent asked about a gun in their home (GSG Parent Study).
TIPS FOR STARTING THE CONVERSATION_______________________
• “We all know how curious kids can be…”
• “I hope you don't mind me asking a few questions about the kids’ safety…”
• “I heard the most surprising fact from my pediatrician…”
• “Do you remember that tragic story about the kids who found a gun?....”
• “All of us on the PTA have committed to making sure our kids are safe…”
• “Remember what we found in our houses when we were kids!”
