The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program—NRA’s groundbreaking gun accident prevention course for children—has achieved yet another milestone by reaching its 32 millionth child. Created in 1988 by past NRA President Marion P. Hammer, in consultation with elementary school teachers, law enforcement officers, and child psychologists, the program provides pre-K through fourth grade children with easy to remember, effective rules to follow should they encounter a firearm in an unsupervised setting: “If you see a gun: STOP! Don’t Touch. Run Away. Tell a Grown-Up.”
More than 26,000 educators, law enforcement agencies, and civic organizations have taught the program since 1988. Volunteers for the Eddie Eagle program come from diverse backgrounds, but they share a commitment to keeping children safe. For more than 30 years, these important child safety advocates have helped bring safety to millions of children in their communities. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, incidental firearm-related deaths among children in Eddie Eagle’s targeted age group have declined almost 80% since the program’s launch.
“Our goal is keeping children safe and parents informed,” said National Community Outreach Department Manager Eric Lipp. “We want to provide Eddie Eagle’s message and safety materials to every family we can.”
The Eddie Eagle program has been praised by numerous groups and elected officials, including the Association of American Educators, the Youth Activities Division of the National Safety Council, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the U.S. Department of Justice (through its Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency). The governors of 26 states have signed resolutions recommending that the program be used in their school systems. Additionally, the legislatures of 25 states have passed resolutions recommending the use of the Eddie Eagle Program.
Funds raised through Friends of NRA that are distributed through The NRA Foundation (nrafoundation.org) enable budget-strapped schools and police departments to teach the program at minimal or no cost. The NRA encourages citizens nationwide to participate in heightening gun accident prevention awareness within their local communities.
Schools, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, and others interested in more information about the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, or persons who wish to see if free materials are available in their communities, should email the Eddie Eagle Department at [email protected].
