The National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts 2005-2006″ indicates a national decline in accidental firearm-related fatalities, a change that could be largely credited to an increase in firearm safety awareness among gun owners.
Persistent reminders to properly store firearms, particularly in homes with children, continue through Project ChildSafe. The nation’s largest firearm safety education program has visited 31 states and has participated in more than 314 events so far this year, like the one held Friday at Academy Sports and Outdoors store in Shreveport, La., where safety tips are handed out with every Project Child Safe gun lock that is picked up by residents.
More than 35 million gun locks will have been distributed to communities across the country by the end 2006.

When compared to 44 other states, New York is safer, reports the New York Sun. Preliminary FBI crime statistics show that during the first half of 2005, crime in New York decreased by 2.8 percent and murder dropped 5.3 percent. Crime has declined by 45 percent since 1994.
The trend has also been seen in New York City, where it is on track to have the second-lowest number of shootings since 1993, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

A new study shows that fewer children — about 2.5 percent, or 1.7 million children — live in homes with loaded, unsecured firearms, a significant reduction from the early 1990’s when the number was estimated at 10 percent. Firearm safety education programs promoting responsible gun ownership, such as the NSSF-developed Project ChildSafe, surely have contributed to the decline.
The study, undertaken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in the journal “Pediatrics,” was reported in a story today by the Associated Press. Project ChildSafe, the nation’s largest firearm safety education program, has distributed more than 30 million gun lock safety kits to firearm owners in all 50 states, with its most recent initiative launched in Rhode Island in partnership with Lt. Governor Charles Fogerty.

Gun safety, crime prevention at gun show
The United States Attorney for the middle district of Pennsylvania, Thomas A. Marino, has enlisted the support of one of the biggest gun show promoters in the state to help distribute Project ChildSafe gun locks and safety kits, and with a news conference Friday helped spread the crime prevention message of Don’t Lie for the Other Guy at a well-attended gun show in York, outside the capital city of Harrisburg.
“Parents, police, prosecutors and community members all share an obligation to work together to ensure the safety of our children from the dangers presented by the unauthorized use of firearms. As the United States Attorney, and more importantly a parent, I am committed to using all available tools to protect the children of our community. Through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project ChildSafe and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, state, local and federal law enforcement agencies are able to create a seamless partnership to help protect our communities and the children that live within them,” said Marino. Both programs were developed by the trade association for the firearms industry, the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
“Don’t Lie for the Other Guy has been welcomed by firearm retailers as a valuable educational tool to help them spot would-be illegal purchasers and prevent criminal firearm sales,” said Doug Painter, president of NSSF. “Our goal in reaching out to the consumer is to let them know they are committing a serious crime by attempting to purchase a firearm for someone who cannot legally possess one.” Criminals are prohibited from buying a gun, but they sometimes use a third party who passes the mandatory criminal background check required before every retail gun sale, whether in a gun store or at a gun show. Such illegal purchases, often called “straw purchases,” carry a 10 year jail sentence and a fine of up to $250,000 under federal law. The show’s promoter, Appalachian Promotions, and various firearms dealers at the gun show, prominently displayed “Don’t Lie” and Project ChildSafe materials, and the news conference was covered by major media in three local communities. Other gun show promoters interested in similarly supporting Project Safe Neighborhoods should contact the Bullet Points editor, Gary Mehalik.

The International Hunter Education Association proudly recognizes award recipients of the IHEA Industry Award for 2004. This award recognizes members of industry showing continued support of the IHEA’s hunter education effort through active and innovative fostering of new ideas in hunter education and who, by virtue of personal staff efforts, professional advice or financial assistance, help the hunter education movement in a superior way. Eric Nuse, executive vice president of the IHEA, commends Keith Snyder, Chief of Hunter/Trapper Education for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. “Keith is one of those very busy people who knows how to say no. But when he takes a job on he does it and does it well. He has served the IHEA as my education committee chair, assisted with the new administrator academy at the National Conservation Training Academy and the New England Instructor Rendezvous. Amidst all this, he is also the administrator for one of the largest hunter education programs in North America .” The other recipient is Tim Lawhern, Hunter Education Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “Tim is always there when I need him, ” says IHEA’s Nuse. “Most folks who serve as president of a large organization, like the IHEA, figure they have done their duty and fade away — but not Tim. He has co-directed our new administrator academy at the National Conservation Training Academy, he has taught at the past three academies, is currently co-hosting a multi-state instructor rendezvous and directs our new coordinator orientation every year. But– most important to me — he is there with good advice and an encouraging quote when the going gets tough.”