A few posts ago, I mentioned Project Childsafe, the nationwide program that has done wonders promoting gun safety with their free gun safety kits.
However, a recent email I received from NSSF said the Project's budget has recently has been cut by $4 million.
In the NSSF email, the author states "Since 2003, NSSF's Project ChildSafe has distributed more than 35 million safety kits to gun owners in all 50 states and five U.S. territories with the help of a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. But after a $4 million funding cut (by the Department of Justice), the number of safety kits that will be distributed this year has taken a big hit."
An article on the cuts is on the Kansas news 49 website. There is also a video of the press conference for the launch of the Project Childsafe in Kansas, as well as more information on the effects of the cuts on the Project Childsafe program.
Project Childsafe will continue to function, but with these new budget cuts, the number of firearm safety kits available will be severely reduced. Can you imagine how many gun locks $4 million could have purchased? The Project Childsafe website even asks current law enforcement agencies to find a partner agency in their state during this shortfall.My question is where's the NRA in all this? Do they need an engraved invitation to show up? Talk about a great opportunity! Step up, help out a proven and successful program, offer more gun lock kits (or funding!), increase firearm safety awareness, and get great PR in the process!
EDIT 09/20/07 : Read the following comment from Eric Lipp about the NRA's Eddie Eagle program. It looks like a great program and focuses on accident prevention with no federal dollars involved!
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Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Project Childsafe update
Posted by Hunter's Mark at 9/05/2007 11:00:00 AM
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Dear Sir:
Your article about Project ChildSafe stated that the U.S. Department of Justice had cut the project's budget, and asked, "... where's the NRA in all this? Do they need an engraved invitation to show up?"
Where is the NRA? The answer to your question is quite simple. The NRA is busy providing their award-winning Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program to children across America. Created in 1988, this program has reached 20 million children in 50 states.
And the NRA is providing this program without any federal funds. No tax dollars are used for this children's gun accident prevention program. Funds are obtained solely from NRA members and private contributors.
What is the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program? This program, developed by the NRA in consultation with qualified professionals, is focused on youngsters from pre-kindergarten through third grade. It does not teach gun handling, nomenclature, or use, and no firearms are allowed. Eddie Eagle, the program's friendly mascot, teaches children to follow his simple safety rules using a colorful animated video and fun-filled activity books.
Even though NRA supports Project ChildSafe, it's important to remember that a gun lock might not always be present. To ensure child safety, children need the educational lesson Eddie Eagle teaches. Anyone may volunteer to teach the program, and its effectiveness is undeniable. Fatal firearm accidents in this age group have decreased by more than 80% since this programs inception. The NSSF itself attributes this decline to organizations like the NRA and NSSF in its NSSF Industry Intelligence Reports. Schools, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations may be eligible to receive free program materials. To determine eligibility, call the NRA at the number below.
We hope our response to your article answers any questions that you or your readers may have had about the NRA's child safety activities. For more information about our program, call us at (800) 231-0752, or visit our Web site at www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie.
Sincerely,
Eric Lipp
Program Manager
Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program
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