The thoughtful gifts will be wrapped with care. The homemade cookies will be placed on the hearth, waiting for Santa’s arrival. The menorah will be lit, and prayers will be said. Roasts, turkeys, brisket, macaroni and cheese, latkes, black-eyed peas, and pies will be enjoyed by family and friends. Stories will be shared, and music will be played. For everyone, no matter your traditions, bringing joy to children is central to the season.
For Julvonnia McDowell, life as she knew it, and the opportunity to create new memories and pass along holiday traditions, will never be the same. One unsecured firearm altered her life forever. On Thursday, April 7th, 2016, only a few hours after speaking to her 14-year-old son JaJuan on the phone, Julvonnia answered a phone call no parent should receive. JaJuan had been shot and was on the way to the hospital. He did not survive. Julvonnia shares her story so that other parents do not have to experience what she is going through. She reflects on how JaJuan was full of life, love, and joy. He had a contagious smile that would light up a room. He was sweet and always willing to help. It is difficult to imagine all the limitless possibilities because his death was 100% preventable. She is now left to imagine what he would be doing and who he would have become. JaJuan was unintentionally shot and killed while visiting family on his spring break by another teen who was playing with an unsecured firearm that was easily accessible, kept under a t-shirt in a dresser drawer.
With all the preparations, hustle, and bustle of the various winter holidays, safety may be an afterthought. Many families may not be thinking about keeping their children safe from unsecured firearms. We want to find them the perfect gift or bake their favorite cookie. It does not seem like the right time to think about the possible dangers of the season. However, with guests visiting and children playing in different households, now is the perfect time to address gun safety. Julvonnia’s advice to parents is to please not shy away from a few moments of discomfort. Have a conversation with family members, acquaintances, and everyone whose home your child visits about the presence of guns in the household and how they are stored. Always take the time to be intentional about the safety of your children. To help parents do this, she supports the message of the Be SMART program.
Be SMART is a campaign created to reduce gun violence and suicides resulting from child access to unsecured firearms. The campaign focuses on education and awareness about child gun deaths and promoting responsible gun ownership and secure gun storage. Consider these sobering statistics: 5.4 million children in America live in a household with guns that are not stored securely, and 41% of adolescents living in homes with firearms report having easy access. Nearly 350 children ages 17 and under gain access to a gun and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. Every year, nearly 700 children 17 and under die by suicide with a gun.
The good news is that parents, caretakers, gun owners, and non-gun owners can practice and spread the Be SMART message by taking these five simple steps:
S is for Secure: Secure all firearms in homes and vehicles. Hiding a gun is not the same as securing it. Store guns locked and unloaded, store ammunition separately.
M is for Model: Model responsible behavior around guns. It is an adult’s responsibility to secure firearms, not a curious child’s responsibility to avoid them. Make gun safety a normal part of any discussion about safety with your child.
A is for Ask: Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes your child visits. Make this part of your daily conversation with other caregivers, when sending your child on a play date, or before you visit for the holidays, just as if you would discuss food allergies or screen time rules. Send a text or email if that makes you more comfortable.
R is for Recognize: Recognize the role of guns in suicide. Statistics have shown most people who attempt suicide do not die unless they are using a firearm.
T is for Tell: Tell your peers to Be SMART. Please share the message with others.
Research has shown that this message is particularly effective when shared by gun owners, hunting and outdoor groups, law enforcement, and the military. So when you are making your holiday to-do list, please be sure to securely store your firearms and communicate the Be SMART message as your priority! For more information or to set up a Be SMART presentation with your group, please visit besmartforkids.org.
