FAIRFAX, Va. – The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program, NRA’s groundbreaking gun accident prevention course for children, has achieved another milestone by reaching its 31 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 third grade children with simple, 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 30 years these dedicated child safety advocates have helped bring the GunSafe message 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 nearly 80 percent since the program’s launch.
“Since our founding, the NRA has been committed to firearm safety, responsibility and education,” said NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre. “Those important concepts are the hallmarks of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program. Eddie’s incredible success is proof that proactive accident prevention education works, and works well. Our children are our future, and it’s our responsibility to teach them how to stay safe. To that end, the NRA will continue to work with community leaders to reach youths across our great nation.”
The Eddie Eagle program has been praised by numerous groups and elected officials, including the governors of 26 states and 25 state legislatures who have signed proclamations or resolutions recommending its use.
Funds raised through Friends of NRA and