In a recent bid to tackle the alarming rates of gun-related injuries and deaths among children, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has stepped up to champion the cause of secure firearm storage. At a press conference flanked by key law enforcement and medical professionals, Governor Stein underscored the critical need to keep weapons out of young hands, stating, “Firearms are the leading cause of injury-related death for children in the state, and too many of those tragic deaths are entirely preventable.” His words reflect a grim statistic: firearms caused 99 child fatalities in North Carolina in 2023. According to the State of North Carolina, the announcement was made during NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) Week of Action—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of locking up guns.
The focus of S.A.F.E. Week, as explained by Deputy Secretary William Lassiter, is to employ partnerships and community events to advocate for responsible gun storage. This initiative plays an integral role in preventing not just accidental shootings, but also gun theft and the subsequent crimes committed with stolen weapons. North Carolina witnessed 431 vehicle gun thefts in just the past year, adding another layer to the conversation. Governor Stein's strategy aims to bolster this message with a significant financial commitment, proposing over $2.3 million towards safe storage promotion in his 2025-2027 budget proposal.
Adding a medical perspective to the dialogue, Eric Toschlog, Trauma Medical Director at ECU Health Medical Center, underscored the all-too-common scene of gun injuries in emergency rooms – "Keeping firearms in a secure place is imperative to keeping children safe and avoiding preventable deaths." According to the State of North Carolina press release, in 2023, there were 1,797 firearm-related deaths and 4,008 firearm-related emergency department visits in North Carolina.
This multifaceted approach to gun safety doesn't stop at storage; it extends to improving the quality and safety of law enforcement services. Governor Stein is also targeting the war on drugs with a proposed Fentanyl Control Unit, along with the creation of a Cold Case Unit to solve unresolved sexual assaults. The budget includes plans for securing schools with more cameras, fences for playgrounds, and exterior locks to protect students and teachers alike. Reflecting on these proposals, Stein is committed to building a safer, stronger North Carolina, aiming to address systemic issues that contribute to gun violence and shape more secure communities.
