NSSF® Launches New Project ChildSafe® Website

Expanded site offers new tools to encourage firearm safety in the home

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) has launched a new Project ChildSafe® website as part of its "S.A.F.E. Summer" campaign. The new site, and the campaign, are designed to focus attention on the importance of safe and responsible firearm storage, to reinforce that anyone who is going to own a firearm should respect it and secure it, and to provide educational resources that can help prevent firearm accidents and misuse.

The enhanced site at www.projectchildsafe.org features several new interactive tools to help educate visitors on how to properly store forearms when not in use. Visitors can also make a commitment to be a responsible gun owner. Examples of these new tools include:

• An interactive quiz to help owners determine how safely their firearms are stored
• An online pledge to practice and encourage responsible firearm ownership, shareable on social media
• A new infographic designed to help firearm owners choose a safe storage option based on their lifestyle and needs
• Links to information on where to get a Firearm Safety Kit in their area
• Tools for law enforcement agencies looking to partner with Project ChildSafe in distributing firearms safety kits and encouraging firearm safety

"We want to do as much as we can to help responsible firearms owners become powerful voices in sharing safety messages with family members and others in their communities," says Steve Sanetti, NSSF president and CEO.

With "SAFE" serving as an acronym for Secure your firearms when not in use; Be Aware of those around you who should not have unauthorized access to guns; Focus on your responsibility as a firearm owner and Educate yourself and others about safe firearm handling and storage, "S.A.F.E. Summer" is focused on equipping gun owners take responsible action to keep their families and communities safer, particularly while children are home from school and more likely to be unattended.

NSSF launched Project ChildSafe in 1998 (prior to 2003 the program was called Project HomeSafe) as a nationwide initiative to promote firearms responsibility and provide safety education to all gun owners. While children are a focus, Project ChildSafe is intended to help young people and adults practice greater firearm safety in the home. The program has provided more than 36 million free firearm safety kits to gun owners in all 50 states and five U.S. territories. That's in addition to the more than 70 million free locking devices manufacturers have included with new firearms sold since 1998 and continue to do today.

Project ChildSafe was originally supported by federal grants provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. Since 2008, when this funding was cut, the firearms manufacturing industry has solely funded the Project ChildSafe program through the members of NSSF.