S.A.F.E. SUMMER CHAMPION: JUDY RHODES
NSSF’s Project ChildSafe Names Judy Rhodes of DIVA Women Outdoors Worldwide
“S.A.F.E. Summer Local Champion” in Firearm Safety
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has recognized Judy Rhodes, Founder of DIVA Women Outdoors Worldwide (DIVA WOW) in Dallas, as a “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.
Rhodes was selected for her efforts to encourage safe and responsible ownership of firearms for women and youth, including secure firearm storage to reduce accidents and access by unauthorized individuals.
“Distributing thousands of gun locks at events and promoting responsible gun ownership and education of firearm handling and storage is our mantra,” says Rhodes. “Proper firearm storage is the number one way to help prevent firearm accidents, theft and misuse.”
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 key to helping prevent firearm accidents.
“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.
“As a result of the amazing Project ChildSafe program, our organization has given away more gun locks than any organization or individual in our great state of Texas. We are proudly known as ‘Gun lock DIVAS’,” Rhodes says.
“We’re very grateful for the work of Judy Rhodes and organizations like DIVA Women Outdoors Worldwide,” 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.