Preventing Gun Violence: Three Ways to Participate as Part of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 7

The Ohio AAP encourages members to participate in National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 7, by participating in activities that will help raise awareness and keep Ohio’s children safe from gun violence. Three ways to get involved include wearing orange on June 7, supporting the Ohio AAP’s Store It Safe Program, and joining sessions on firearm safety at Annual Meeting 2019.

1. Wear Orange on June 7

The 5th National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 7, 2019 will be the largest-ever show of support for the idea that we can do more to stop gun violence, asking supporters to do one simple thing: Wear Orange.

Originating in hunting culture, Wear Orange acknowledges that America has a proud heritage of responsible gun ownership and reflects the value of human life. And orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade in 2013. After her death, they asked us to stand up, speak out, and Wear Orange to raise awareness about gun violence.

Here are a few ways to participate:

1. Social Media and Communications – Show off your support using the Go Orange toolkit, write a blog or article, or amplify content of other pediatricians, the AAP, or your hospital about this campaign on or before this event.
2. Wear and Share – As you demonstrate your support with an orange tie, shirt or scarf, remind other supporters to take photos in orange. Even more fun: consider creating a unique orange product that you and your co-workers can wear to show solidarity in this cause (i.e. orange medical scrubs).
3. Light Your Building – On the evening of June 7, turn your practice, medical school, clinic, house, etc. orange.
4. Get Active in the Issue – Use this Prevent Gun Violence Op-Ed toolkit to write an editorial or article in a local newspaper or blog. Or contact your local representatives, donate to gun safety classes for your area, or start a local activist group. For more information about how to support the AAP’s advocacy efforts, visit the AAP Advocacy Action Center.
5. Field Events – Drive participation to a local Wear Orange field event in your area.
6. Wear Orange on June 7

2. Support Store It Safe
The Ohio AAP introduced Store It Safe with a simple goal to keep children safe. Store It Safe is a unique partnership of healthcare providers, firearm safety experts, and community organizations established to keep children safe from unintentional gun deaths and teens safe from suicide by firearms. Young children are curious and will touch anything, while teens are still learning to control impulses. Our goal is to inform families of risks so they can keep their children safe.

In 2019 the Ohio AAP is working to “Reverse the Trend of Irreversible Actions” occurring as teen suicide rates increase. Learn more at http://ohioaap.org/storeitsafe/ and make a donation to help the Ohio AAP expand these efforts.

3. Attend Annual Meeting 2019’s Adolescent Suicide and Store It Safe Session

On Saturday, September 28, a panel of experts will present the latest information on adolescent suicide, prevention best-practices, and how safe firearm storage can play a role in preventing these tragedies. Data collected by the Ohio AAP shows that families consider pediatricians the most trusted source for education on injury prevention and firearm safety; this session will empower attendees with knowledge, confidence, and strategies to have potentially lifesaving discussions with all adolescent patients and families.

Annual Meeting 2019 will also feature opportunities to support Store It Safe through fundraisers, including the Sips and Secrets Mystery Night. Details on Annual Meeting and registration can be found at: http://ohioaap.org/AnnualMeeting

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