NC S.A.F.E. Initiative Gains Ground as Unsafe Gun Storage Claims Young Lives
An 8-year-old’s death in Guilford County and alarming statewide statistics are pushing advocates to demand more state funding for NC’s safe gun storage program.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — During Gun Violence Awareness Month, advocates in North Carolina are highlighting a statewide program aimed at reducing firearm-related deaths through safer storage practices, as recent tragedies emphasize the ongoing urgency of the issue.
A Deadly Problem in North Carolina Homes
Roughly 42% of North Carolinians keep a firearm in or around their home, and at least 24% of those with loaded firearms store them unlocked, according to NC Newsline. Those unsecured weapons carry serious consequences.
Last month, an 8-year-old in Guilford County was fatally shot after a loaded gun was left unsecured in a home where multiple children were present. The firearm belonged to the child’s 19-year-old older brother, who now faces charges of failure to safely secure a firearm.
That case is not isolated. In 2024, guns were the second leading cause of death among children and teens in North Carolina. In 2025, schools across the state recorded 176 incidents involving firearms, according to NC Newsline.
Stolen Guns Feed Local Violence
Unsecured firearms also pose a broader public safety threat beyond the home. Between 2019 and 2023, North Carolina ranked 10th in the nation for the annual rate of firearm thefts, averaging 10,876 guns stolen per year, many of them taken from vehicles before entering illegal circulation, NC Newsline reported.
Advocates say proper storage can help prevent those thefts and reduce the number of weapons that end up fueling street-level violence.
NC S.A.F.E. Shows Early Progress, Needs State Investment
Former Governor Roy Cooper launched the NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) initiative on June 5, 2023, in response to the problem with unsecured guns in the state. The program provides resources and best practices for firearm storage and safety.
Since its launch, NC S.A.F.E. has generated more than 85 million public safety impressions, reaching North Carolinians across the state with messaging about secure storage, according to NC Newsline.
Advocates are calling on state officials to increase investment in the program to sustain and expand that reach, particularly as gun violence continues to claim young lives in communities across North Carolina.
