Loudoun County Public Schools has issued its annual reminder to families about the importance of secure firearm storage as the new academic year begins. The message follows a resolution passed unanimously by the Loudoun County School Board last fall, which aims to enhance student and community safety.
Research shows that secure storage of firearms can reduce unintentional injuries among children and teens by up to 85%. September is also recognized as Suicide Awareness Month, highlighting concerns about gun suicides among young people. Each year, approximately 1,200 children and teens die by gun suicide in the United States, often using firearms owned by family members.
Superintendent Aaron Spence addressed these issues in a letter to families: “As we start the school year, I wanted to take a moment to remind you about important information regarding firearm storage. Last fall, the Loudoun County School Board unanimously passed the Secure Storage Notification Resolution in a significant step toward enhancing the safety and well-being of our students and community. Research indicates that secure firearm storage practices can reduce the risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens by as much as 85%.”
He continued: “We also recognize September as Suicide Awareness Month. Tragically, 1,200 children and teens die by gun suicide annually – often using firearms belonging to family members. Given these tragedies, there is no question that it is our community’s interest to help keep our children safe by securing firearms, and all of us can help.”
Spence emphasized providing families with information on prevention: “To increase awareness and prevention of firearm tragedies, we are providing this annual notice and information. We hope it empowers families to make informed decisions that prioritize safety at home.”
Under Virginia law (Va. Code § 18.2-56.2), it is illegal for anyone to recklessly leave a loaded and unsecured firearm where it poses a risk to a child. This statute aims to prevent minors from accessing improperly stored firearms.
The superintendent highlighted several statistics related to gun violence:
– About 4.6 million American children live in homes with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm.
– Each year, roughly 350 children under age 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else; most incidents occur at home.
– In school shootings, three-quarters of active shooters are current or recent students; up to 80% obtained their guns from their own or relatives’ homes.
Spence encouraged all parents—regardless of whether they own guns—to ask about unsecured weapons when their children visit other homes and model responsible behavior for their kids around firearms.
“Ask about unsecured guns in homes your children visit. Helpful scripts are available from Be Smart in English and Spanish,” he wrote.
He added: “Model responsible behavior by teaching your children what to do in the presence of unsecured guns. (Your kids may encounter them when you’re not there.) An age-by-age guide is available in English and Spanish.”
Spence also stressed recognizing warning signs for suicide involving guns: “Recognize the uniquely fatal role of guns in suicide. Learn the warning signs and available resources (like text/call/chat 988), and consider temporarily removing guns if you have them.”
He warned that simply putting firearms out of sight or reach does not constitute safe storage: “Putting a firearm out of sight or out of reach is not safe storage and not enough to prevent use by children or unauthorized adults.” He urged families to review secure gun storage information provided by local law enforcement partners as well as suicide prevention resources on the LCPS website.
In closing his letter, Spence wrote: “The possibility of gun violence in schools is extremely troubling and is something that keeps me up at night both as a father and as your superintendent. The reality is, we can all take steps to prevent gun violence by practicing secure gun storage to help ensure the safety and well-being of our students.”
He concluded: “Safety and security are our top priority. Students who come to school, who feel that they belong, and who learn in a secure environment are children who can thrive. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the safety of our children.
Together, we can make a difference.”
