S.A.F.E. SUMMER CHAMPION: CARRIE LIGHTFOOT

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has recognized Scottsdale’s Carrie Lightfoot, founder of The Well Armed Woman, as “Local Champion” for her efforts to promote firearm safety in the region. The recognition comes as NSSF launches its fourth annual Project ChildSafe “S.A.F.E. Summer” campaign to emphasize the importance of responsible firearm storage – particularly while children are home from school and more likely to be unattended.

Carrie Lightfoot – the 2015 GLOCK Safety Ambassador Award Winner – was selected for her role in communicating, demonstrating and teaching firearm safety. Through her organization, she provides exhaustive resources (including training videos) in all areas of gun safety, storage, ownership, training, concealed carry and more.

“In my desire to become a responsible gun owner, my own lack of knowledge and the lack of resources available for women motivated me to start The Well Armed Woman,” said Lightfoot. “As women and mothers, we have unique perspectives and needs. There was so little information and training that spoke respectfully and directly to us, so I said to myself – someone needs to do something. And I did.”

S.A.F.E. Summer is an extension of NSSF’s Project ChildSafe campaign. Consistent with Project ChildSafe’s overarching message of “Own It? Respect It. Secure It,” the S.A.F.E. Summer effort is a reminder that proper firearm storage is the #1 way to help prevent firearm accidents, theft and misuse.

“S.A.F.E.” serves as an acronym for Store your firearms responsibly when not in use; Always practice firearm safety; Focus on your responsibilities as a firearm owner; and Education is key to preventing accidents. The effort is focused on providing resources to help gun owners take actions and share information that will help keep their families and communities safer.

Lightfoot explains, “It is critical that accurate information, products and training be a part of every woman’s journey into gun ownership. Project ChildSafe is all of this – the materials and safety kits are fabulous and very well produced, and NSSF’s work to make them available across the country is outstanding. I want to help get them in every home! We all must do everything we can to educate and equip gun owners with the information they need to practice firearm safety.”

“We’re very grateful for the work of people like Carrie Lightfoot,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. “They are great examples of how the firearms-owning community is committed to safety and personal responsibility, and their work is instrumental in helping to reduce firearm accidents.”

NSSF launched Project ChildSafe in 1999 (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 as well. Through partnerships with more than 15,000 law enforcement agencies, the program has provided more than 37 million free firearm safety kits to gun owners in all 50 states and the 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.