Albemarle County School Board Resolution Concerning Secure Storage of Firearms
February 8, 2024
WHEREAS, an estimated 4.6 million American children live in households with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm; and
WHEREAS, every year, roughly 350 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. That’s nearly one unintentional shooting per day, and 70 percent of these incidents take place inside a home; and
WHEREAS, another 1,200 children and teens die by gun suicide each year, most often using guns belonging to a family member; and
WHEREAS, in incidents of gun violence on school grounds, 75 percent of active shooters were current students or recent graduates; and
WHEREAS, evidence strongly suggests that secure firearm storage is an essential component to any effective strategy to keep schools and students safe; and
WHEREAS, research shows that secure firearm storage practices are associated with up to an 85 percent reduction in the risk of self-inflicted and unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center emphasizes the importance of appropriate storage of firearms because 76 percent of school shooters use firearms acquired from the homes of parents or close relatives; and
WHEREAS, across the country, lawmakers, community members, and local leaders are working together to implement public awareness campaigns, such as the Be SMART program that is being introduced in Albemarle County Public Schools (“ACPS”) this month, which is endorsed by the National PTA, and which encourages secure gun storage practices and highlights the public safety risks of unsecured guns; and
WHEREAS, school districts across the country have begun proactively to send materials home to parents and guardians informing them of applicable firearm storage laws and firearm secure storage best practices; and
WHEREAS, keeping students, teachers, and staff safe from gun accidents and gun violence should be the responsibility of all adult stakeholders at each of our school sites; and
WHEREAS, Virginia law requires adults to securely store their firearms to prevent a child from having unauthorized access to a firearm; and
WHEREAS, in order to continue with preventative measures to increase student and school safety we must act now.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Albemarle County School Board directs the Superintendent and Members of the Superintendent’s Cabinet to take such actions as are necessary to increase awareness among ACPS students, families, and staff about the importance of secure gun storage, the legal requirements of parents and guardians to securely store their firearms, and the best practice of keeping all guns unloaded, locked up, and stored separately from ammunition; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Albemarle County School Board directs the Superintendent to create an appropriate letter, in English and other languages spoken by ACPS families and staff, to parents and guardians that explains the importance of secure gun storage in preventing minors from accessing guns, the legal requirements of parents and guardians to securely store their firearms, and the best practice of keeping all guns unloaded, locked up, and stored separately from ammunition, which letter shall also be included in annual registration materials at each school site.
FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, on this 8th day of February 2024, that the Albemarle County School Board and the Superintendent will continue to work with local law enforcement agencies, health agencies, and non-profits to collaborate and increase efforts to inform ACPS families of their obligations regarding secure storage of firearms in their homes.