Cardona Issues New Resource for District and School Leaders on Importance of Safe Firearm Storage

Today at a White House town hall that AASA attended, Secretary Cardona and First Lady Jill Biden held a town hall with school principals to elevate the importance of safe firearms storage and emphasize the role that principals and district leaders can play in helping prevent gun violence. In conjunction with this event, the Administration released a new resource that superintendents and principals can use to communicate to parents and families about the importance of safe firearm storage, and encourage more people to take preventive action by safely storing firearms.

Nearly 20 percent of childhood deaths are caused by firearms, and many deaths can be prevented through safe storage of firearms. Through the release of customizable template on the importance of safely storing weapons, district leaders have a new resource at their fingertips that allows for clear communication with parents, caregivers and community members about this important school safety issue that they can modify to address the specific context of their community. 

Guidance on the importance of proper firearm storage comes on the heels of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing approximately $50 million in new grants, for states to implement, enhance, and expand the use of school-based health services through Medicaid.