“Securing our homes is an ancient responsibility updated for modern times.”
When we say that gun violence prevention starts at home, the most practical and immediate action we can take is the implementation of Safe Storage. To “ENGAGE” with this issue in the spirit of Jesus Christ means moving beyond abstract debate and into the life-saving reality of how we secure our households.
What is Safe Storage?
Safe storage is the practice of ensuring that firearms are stored in a way that they are inaccessible to unauthorized users. This “trifecta” approach to safety includes:
- Unloaded: Storing firearms without ammunition in the chamber or magazine.
- Locked: Utilizing high-quality gun safes, steel lockboxes, or trigger locks to prevent the weapon from being fired.
- Separate: Storing ammunition in a locked location separate from the firearm itself.
Why Must We Act?
The mission of ENGAGE is to protect the “village,” and the data tells us that our children are the most vulnerable members of that community. Safe storage is essential for three primary reasons:
- Preventing Unintentional Tragedies: Every year, hundreds of children gain access to unsecured, loaded guns, leading to accidental shootings. Safe storage creates a vital barrier between a curious child and a life-altering mistake.
- Reducing Youth Suicide: Research shows that the presence of an unlocked gun in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide among adolescents. A lock provides the “inexplicable interval”—a few moments of delay that can save a life during a mental health crisis.
- Deterring Theft and Crime: Secured firearms are far less likely to be stolen and sold on the illegal market. By locking our guns, we ensure that tools meant for hunting or protection do not become instruments of street violence.
A Responsibility of Faith and Citizenship
ENGAGE supports the right to own guns for hunting and recreation. However, with that right comes the profound responsibility of stewardship. In Minnesota, where gun violence deaths remain a significant tragedy, safe storage is not a political statement—it is a foundational act of love for our neighbor.
Forward in Peace,
Jon Fogelberg
ENGAGE Leadership Team
