ASK (Asking Saves Kids)
“Is there a gun where your child plays?” Asking this simple question
is an important step every parent can take to help their kids stay safe.
About 1/3 of homes with kids have guns, many left unlocked or loaded.
Just talking to your child about the dangers of firearms is not enough.
Children are naturally curious. If a gun is accessible in someone’s
home, there is a good chance a child will find it and play with it.
Countless tragedies have occurred when kids found guns that parents
thought were well hidden or safely stored.
FACT SHEET Access to Guns
• An average of 8 kids and teens are killed by firearms every day and 38 additional
children and teens are seriously injured (Injury Mortality Reports, National Center for
Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 2007; 2009). 5RJ43GGK78FP
• 29 children and teens are seriously injured by BB or Pellet guns every day (Injury
Mortality Reports, 2009).
• 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).
In preparation for June 21 "Ask Day" I am going to focus on some information that
I recieved from CPYV. Stay tuned next for some real stories that will shock you.
Please help spread this important information:
The ASK campaign provides opportunities for community groups, healthcare
organizations and individuals to help ensure the safety of our children. In this
packet, we have provided suggestions for activities to share the ASK
message as well as examples of materials.
If you need additional information or wish to provide your feedback, please contact 212-269-5100 or
ask@cpyv.org.
ASK is a partnership between CPYV / The Center to Prevent Youth Violence and the American Academy of
Pediatrics and is sponsored by the American Medical Association
ASK Endorsers Include:
American Federation of Teachers
American Public Health Association
Children’s Defense Fund
Emergency Nurses Association
The Interfaith Alliance Foundation
National Association of Children’s
Hospitals and Related Institutions
National Association of Pediatric
Nurse Practitioners
National Education Association
National Head Start Association
National Parenting Association
Physicians For Social Responsibility
Police Executive Research Forum
Police Foundation
Safe Kids Worldwide
