IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION declaring August 26 through August 30, 2024, as 2024 SMART Week in Jackson County and supporting efforts advocating for secure gun storage and effective measures to prevent children from accessing firearms.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21703, August 19, 2024
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Guns are the number one killer of children and teens in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County is committed to creating a safe environment contributing to the safety and well-being of our children; and,
WHEREAS, almost every single day, a child gets their hands on a gun and unintentionally kills or injures themselves or someone else in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, research shows that one of the best ways to protect children and teens from accessing guns is to implement secure firearm storage practices; and,
WHEREAS, research shows that the most effective way to prevent children from accessing firearms is making sure all guns are stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition; and,
WHEREAS, there are steps we can all take, gun owners and non-gun owners alike, to make sure kids can’t access guns and put themselves and others in danger; and,
WHEREAS, an estimated 54 percent of gun owners don’t lock all of their guns securely and an estimated 4.6 million children live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded gun in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, when guns aren’t properly stored, tragedy can strike ― whether it’s a child finding a firearm and injuring or killing themselves or someone else, or someone stealing it and using it to commit crime in our communities; and,
WHEREAS, protecting public safety in the communities they serve is mayors’ highest responsibility; and,
WHEREAS, schools, hospitals, state agencies and community organizations are committed to their crucial role in reducing injuries and deaths by promoting secure gun storage and safety; and,
WHEREAS, SMART Week raises awareness and promotes efforts to educate the public about secure gun storage and Jackson County commends Be SMART, a program developed by the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, and all involved in their endeavor to keep communities safe; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri that the Legislature hereby declares August 26 through 30, 2024, as SMART Week in Jackson County and advocates for advocating for secure gun storage and effective measures to prevent children from accessing firearms.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21703 of August 19 2024, was duly passed on ______________________, 2024 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______________ Nays ______________
Abstaining _________ Absent ____________
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature