Rep. Peters Highlights Safe Storage Campaign During National Gun Violence Awareness Month
San Diego, CA – Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50) marked National Asking Saves Kids (ASK) Day on June 21st with a press conference calling attention to the importance of safe storage for gun violence prevention. June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month and as kids spend more time in friends’ and family members’ homes over the summer, ASK Day encourages parents to add one more question to the conversation about playdates: “Is there an unlocked gun in your home?”
Right now, 6.7 million children in the United States live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded firearm. Every single day, 8 kids are unintentionally injured or killed by someone who should not have had access to a gun from the home. In light of the horrific shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego in which two teenagers accessed firearms that were present in the home and killed three brave, innocent men, everyone has a role to play to prevent the next tragedy.
“There is no reason a child should be able to easily access a deadly weapon,” said Rep. Peters. “It’s Congress' job to pass legislation that solves our problems. We can’t bring lost lives back, but we can work to save others. While I continue pushing Congress to pass gun safety reforms, I urge parents, guardians, and caretakers to educate themselves and others and ask one simple question: ‘Is there an unlocked gun where my child plays?’ It could save their lives.”
Rep. Peters brought together local elected officials and community leaders who spoke about the importance of keeping kids safe from unsecured firearms.
While schools play an important role in keeping students safe, many of the most effective ways to prevent gun violence happen long before a child steps onto a campus,” said San Diego Unified School Board Trustee Shana Hazan. “They happen at home through responsible firearm storage, informed conversations, and a shared commitment to protecting children. That’s why I was proud to recently introduce a Gun Violence Prevention Resolution that was unanimously approved by the San Diego Unified Board. Together, we can create safer communities and brighter futures for all children.”
"Across the United States, there were 1,436 unintentional shootings in 2024. There have been nearly 600 unintentional shootings so far in 2026," said Therese Hymer, President of Alliance to End Gun Violence. "That is a key reason why the Alliance to End Gun Violence has successfully fought for secure firearm storage laws, both local and state, and we thank Congressman Peters for his co-sponsorship of Ethan’s Law, which would require firearms on residential premises to be securely stored if a minor is likely to gain access."
“As a member of the school shooting generation, like so many, I have grown up hiding under desks, checking every exit, rehearsing my death, and even being told to fight,” said Stephen Baker Jr., California Legislative Coordinator of Team ENOUGH California. “Secure storage is one of the most effective interventions when it comes to domestic violence, suicides, school shootings, mass shootings, and, of course, accidents. Although I am not a parent yet, I know the first question I will ask on a day I look forward to, my child’s first playdate, is: ‘Hey, I know my son is coming over today. I just wanted to check if your guns are locked up?’ It is a question every one of us has to ask to learn.”
Rep. Peters authored the STANDUP Act, which became law in 2022, to reduce firearm-related self-harm among youth. He’s also voted for every gun violence prevention measure that’s come before Congress since 2013, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022.
Rep. Peters is also a cosponsor of Ethan's Law, which would require gun owners to safely secure and store their firearms in homes where minors are present or if a resident of the home cannot legally possess a firearm.
A livestreamed recording of the press conference can be viewed here. Additional photos from the event, courtesy of the office of Rep. Scott Peters, can be viewed here.
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