According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, firearms are the leading cause of injury-related death of children and young people in North Carolina. Last year, Gov. Roy Cooper announced the Secure All Firearms Effectively initiative to encourage North Carolinians to take action to safely store their firearms to save lives. This executive order is meant to deter children from gaining access to firearms from the home and through theft from vehicles.
Gun thefts have increased in North Carolina. More than 80% of teenage suicides by firearm in the United States were by a gun belonging to a family member. According to a national survey in 2021, more than half of loaded firearms at home were unlocked. Dr. April Zeoli speaks with the Citizen Times about evidence-based strategies, like extreme risk protection orders, and their effectiveness.