City Councilor Brook Bassan Invites Everyone to Project ChildSafe Event on Saturday, March 27th
March 23, 2021
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Albuquerque City Councilors Brook Bassan and Klarissa Peña, representatives from Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) and local law enforcement will host two drive-through events to provide free resources on firearm safety and suicide prevention for parents and gun owners.
Saturday, March 27, 2021 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m, simultaneous events will be held at the following locations:
- Vista Del Norte Park (with Councilor Bassan) - 1005 Osuna Rd NE
- West Central Plaza - Conn’s HomePlus (with Councilor Peña) - 4208 A Central Ave SW
The event is part of a larger “Project ChildSafe Albuquerque” initiative to help prevent firearm accidents, thefts and misuse, including suicide. Attention on teen mental health and suicide prevention has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as schools remain closed and young people continue to face separation from peers, increased feelings of isolation and other stressors. These events are meant to equip parents with resources and tips to have a conversation about mental health with their children and take steps to secure firearms and other potential lethal means. The socially-distanced event will provide free gun locks and educational materials to gun owners to encourage safe, responsible firearm storage in the home.
Unsecured guns can pose an accident risk to children and create opportunities for theft and misuse, including attempts at self-harm. Keeping guns out of the wrong hands can be accomplished when gun owners put safeguards in place appropriate to their home and family circumstances. Proper storage can help prevent guns from being stolen and used by criminals, and provide that vital “pause” that can mean the difference between life and death for people in crisis and contemplating suicide.