ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- In a historic vote during National PTA's Level
Up PTA 2024 Virtual Convention, delegates voted to adopt an
amendment to the association's resolution on Safe Storage of
Firearms that calls for the association to support legislation
requiring adults to be accountable for storing their firearms
safely.
Firearm injury is now the leading cause of death for children
under the age of 19. Research shows that parents are most concerned
about their children experiencing gun violence at school. Research
also shows that most firearms used in school shootings perpetrated
by shooters under the age of 18 were acquired from the home or the
homes of relatives or friends.
"For too many years we have been at a crisis point. No parent
should fear for the safety of their child every time they leave
home for school or anywhere else. And no child should live in fear
wondering if a shooting could happen at their school," said
Yvonne Johnson, president of
National PTA. "As the nation's oldest and largest child advocacy
association, National PTA delegates have bravely taken a stand to
push for policies that will make our schools and communities safer
and save lives. As our association has done for over 127 years, we
remain committed to raising the voices and concerns of parents and
we will never stop speaking loudly and demanding more for every
child, young person and family across our country."
Evidence strongly suggests that restricting children's and
teens' access to firearms limits the risk of injury and death.
Nevertheless, an estimated 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in
homes with at least one loaded and unlocked firearm. With the
amendment to the resolution on Safe Storage of Firearms, National
PTA will engage more deeply around secure firearm storage by
calling for reasonable accountability measures when firearms are
stored insecurely and unsafely. The association will also bring the
voice of parents and families into important policy decisions
happening at the local, state and national levels around the safe
storage of firearms.
At the same time National PTA delegates voted on the amendment,
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek
Murthy issued an advisory declaring gun violence in America
to be a public health crisis and calling out safe and secure
firearm storage as a risk reduction and prevention strategy.
"As affirmed by Surgeon General Murthy, safe and secure firearm
storage is a critical strategy that will help prevent and
eliminate gun violence, promote the safety and well-being of all
children and our country, and help ensure every child has every
opportunity to reach their full potential," said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive
director. "PTA's mission is to make every child's potential a
reality. With firearms the leading cause of death for children, it
remains a top priority of our association to advocate for common
sense solutions to gun violence."
The adoption of the amendment is part of a larger and ongoing
effort by PTA to advocate for and support policies and solutions
that will help address the gun violence epidemic the country has
endured for far too long. Join PTA in demanding action and
change to protect children and families from gun violence by
texting PTA to 50457 or using PTA's VoterVoice system to send
a message to your members of Congress.
About National PTA
National
PTA® comprises millions of families, students,
teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders
devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of
family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3)
nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice
for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities,
and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is
open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for
the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more
information, visit PTA.org.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-pta-adopts-amendment-to-require-adults-to-be-held-accountable-for-storing-their-firearms-safely-302187168.html
SOURCE National PTA