WHEREAS, According to federal statistics, there are guns in more than one third of all U.S. households; and
WHEREAS, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia research institute has concluded that 1.7 million children live with unlocked, loaded guns; and
WHEREAS Approximately one of three handguns are kept loaded and unlocked and most children know where their parents keep their guns; and
WHEREAS, As of October 25, 2017, there were 587 shootings of children ranging from new born to age 11 and 2,635 shootings of children age 12-17 in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. General Accounting Office estimated that 31 percent of accidental deaths caused by firearms might be prevented with the addition of 2 devices: a child-proof safety lock and a loading indicator; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2016, The Philadelphia City Council passed Bill Number 160331 that requires firearms to be kept unloaded and in a locked container if stored in a home where children reside or frequently visit; and
WHEREAS, Among children, eighty-nine percent of unintentional shooting deaths occur in the home. Most of these deaths occur when children are playing with a loaded gun in their parent’s absence; and
WHEREAS, Studies have shown that States with child gun access prevention laws have a lower rate of unintentional death than states without such laws; and
WHEREAS, In August of 2017 an 11-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the face in South Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In September of 2017, a 3-year-old boy accidentally shot his uncle while sitting in a car in Center City; and
WHEREAS, On October 21, 2017 a 3 -year-old boy was accidentally shot in the head by his 6-year-old brother in North Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of gun owners to ensure that guns are stored where they are inaccessible to children or other unauthorized persons. Hiding a gun in a closet, drawer, under a seat or similar location is not safe storage; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, in partnership with City Council and numerous advocacy organizations, Sheriff Jewell Williams helped launch the
Safe Storage Initiative to provide gun safety education and free gun locks to the community; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby designates
week of Sunday November 12, 2017 through Saturday November 18, 2017 as Child Gun Safety Awareness Week in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented Sheriff Jewell Williams as
evidence of the true and sincere sentiments of this legislative body for his efforts on this issue.
End