S.A.F.E. SUMMER CHAMPION: JENNIFER KROSS
NSSF’s Project ChildSafe Names Jennifer Kross “S.A.F.E. Summer Local Champion” in Firearm Safety
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has recognized Bismarck’s Jennifer Kross, Communications Specialist for Ducks Unlimited, as “Local Champion” for her efforts to promote firearm safety in her 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.
Kross was selected for her efforts to teach children the proper respect and safety information about firearms through community workshops, reinforcing that guns are not to be shown off or used without adults present.
“Firearms are not something to be played with; many kids don’t understand how powerful they are,” Kross says. “I want to keep kids safe around guns; I want to help them see there is a proper way to use guns and that they are a responsibility not to be taken lightly.”
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 number one 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.
“Adults who own guns and have children in the house have a responsibility to protect those children by sensibly storing their guns. Guns need to be locked and out of reach of kids when they aren’t in use. Adults need to also teach the kids in their lives about being safe around guns, that they are not toys,” says Kross. “I support Project ChildSafe because it has a goal to help adults talk to their kids about guns and teach them safe handling practices.”
“We’re very grateful for the work of people like Jennifer Kross and organizations like Ducks Unlimited,” 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 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—which include a free gun lock—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.