Philosophy
Safe State Kansas
works to reduce gun violence in Kansas through education and advocacy efforts.
Safe State Kansas sees gun violence as a public health issue, and therefore
looks for ways to reduce the greatest numbers of gun deaths. This means that
Safe State Kansas deals mainly with preventing suicide, homicide resulting from
domestic and acquaintance violence, and unintentional injury.
Main Program Areas
Community-Based Safe Storage Education is designed to increase awareness of the risks of unsafely storing firearms, and to change behaviors to increase the rate of safe storage. Safe storage of firearms, and to change behaviors to increase the rate of safe storage. Safe storage of firearms is a primary focus, because it can positively impact the vast majority of gun violence situations that currently result in death, namely suicide and domestic and acquaintance homicide.
The Celebrate Safely Campaign
works to reduce
celebratory gunfire in Wichita on New Year's. The campaign is a partnership with
neighborhood associations, especially the Historic Midtown Citizen's
Association, the Police Department, local employers, unions, and stocking
dealers. Safe State Kansas coordinates the efforts of the partners, works to
ensure media coverage, and recruits new partners. Last year, Safe State Kansas'
first year with the campaign, saw a decrease of 67% of celebratory gun fire as
reported to the Wichita Police Department.
The Wichita Gun Buy Back was an opportunity for people to turn in unwanted, unsafe, poorly stored firearms. Over 250 firearms were turned in during this one-day project with the Wichita Police Department and the City of Wichita.
The Youth Task Force helps young people become involved in gun violence prevention projects. The Youth Task Force has had letters on gun violence prevention published in two newspapers - the Kansas City Star and the Salina Journal. In addition, the task force is planning an October gun violence prevention event with a local teen club.
The
Memory Tree Program
plants trees
in memory of those lost to gun violence in Wichita. One tree has been planted at
Fairmount United Church of Christ. The Sedgwick County Extension Service Master
Gardeners Tree Committee has recently come on board to provide expertise,
solicitation and maintenance of the trees.
-Karole Bradford, Program Director