SMART Week
As Kids Go Back to School, Adults Have Homework, Too
Every year during the last full week of August, we come together for SMART Week: A time to spread the word on the critical importance of secure gun storage to prevent gun violence as kids go back to school.
Save the Date: SMART Week 2027 is happening August 23–27
Overview
SMART Week is for Everyone
One of the smartest things adults can do to keep kids, classrooms, and communities safe from gun violence is to raise awareness about secure gun storage. It’s about giving our followers, friends, and neighbors — whether they own a gun or not — simple, clear steps they can take right now to help prevent gun violence:
Secure
all guns in your home and vehicles
Model
responsible behavior around guns
Ask
about unsecured guns in other homes
Recognize
the role of guns in suicide
Tell
your peers to Be SMART
Participate in SMART Week on
Social Media
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Use #BeSMART in all of your SMART Week posts to tie the conversation together and show the scale of this campaign
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When possible, include the Be SMART website URL in your social posts: besmartforkids.org
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Ask your followers to spread the word about secure storage during SMART Week by sharing Be SMART assets on your social media accounts
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Make a short video about the importance of secure gun storage in keeping our homes, vehicles, schools, and communities safe, and share it on social media.
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Invite your followers to learn more about the Be SMART program by texting
SMART to 644-33 -
Follow the Be SMART Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook accounts and repost our SMART Week content!
Sample Video Script for SMART Week
Hi, I’m [Name] with [Organization] and we’re proud to join people across the country in supporting SMART Week — a national campaign focused on simple, yet effective, ways to help keep our kids, schools, and communities safe from gun violence.
Research shows that securely storing firearms — unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition — is one of the most effective ways to prevent children and other unauthorized users from gaining access to guns.
As a new school year gets underway, now is the time to start conversations about secure gun storage and share other simple, proven practices that can help prevent tragedies before they happen — from school shootings, unintentional shootings and gun suicides, to firearm theft and other forms of gun violence.
This week, share the Be SMART message:
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Secure all guns in homes and cars
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Model responsible behavior around guns
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Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes your child visits
-
Recognize the role of guns in suicide
-
Tell your peers to Be SMART
Learn more at besmartforkids.org
Sample Social Language for SMART Week
English
By educating the public on secure gun storage, we can reduce gun violence and create a safer environment for our children and families as we begin a new school year.
This SMART Week, join us in spreading the word, and get involved by texting SMART to 644-33! #BeSMART
Español
Al educar al público sobre cómo asegurar las armas de fuego, podemos reducir la violencia con armas y crear una comunidad más segura para nuestros hijos y familias al comenzar un nuevo año escolar.
Esta Semana SMART, comparte este mensaje crítico. Obtenga más información aquí: besmartforkids.org #BeSMART
English
School shooters are often current or former students, and the guns they use are most often obtained from their home or the homes of relatives.
This SMART Week, join us in raising awareness about the importance of secure firearm storage. Text SMART to 644-33! #BeSMART
Espanõl
Los tiradores escolares son a menudo estudiantes o ex-estudiantes, y las armas que usan generalmente se obtienen en su hogar o en los hogares de sus familiares.
Esta Semana SMART, acompáñanos para crear conciencia sobre la importancia de asegurar las armas de fuego.
Visita besmartforkids.org/share/online para compartir los gráficos de información en español. #BeSMART
English
As we start a new school year, one of the smartest actions adults can take to keep kids, classrooms, and communities safe from gun violence is to raise awareness about secure gun storage.
This SMART Week, join us in spreading this critical message! Learn more by texting SMART to 644-33! #BeSMART
Español
Al comenzar un nuevo año escolar, una de las cosas más simples que podemos hacer para mantener nuestras comunidades escolares seguras de la violencia con armas de fuego es crear conciencia sobre cómo asegurar las armas.
En esta Semana SMART, acompáñanos para compartir este mensaje crítico. ¡Aprende más visitando a besmartforkids.org! #BeSMART
English
Unintentional shootings by children and teens can be prevented by taking a few simple steps to secure guns in homes and vehicles — stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition.
This SMART Week, tell your family and friends to #BeSMART. Learn more at besmartforkids.org.
Español
Los disparos accidentales por niños y adolescentes pueden prevenirse tomando unos pocos pasos sencillos para asegurar las armas de fuego en los hogares y vehículos: guardarlas bajo llave, descargadas y separadas de la munición.
Esta Semana SMART, dile a tu familia y amigos #BeSMART. Aprende más en besmartforkids.org.
English
Nearly 7 million children in the US now live in homes with at least one loaded, unlocked gun — a nearly 50% rise from previous estimates. That’s 7 million children and their friends and family members who are at risk of being shot.
This SMART Week, join us in urging gun owners to secure their guns in homes and vehicles, stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition. #BeSMART
Español
Actualmente, casi 7 millones de niños en EE. UU. viven en hogares donde hay al menos un arma cargada y sin seguro, lo que representa un aumento de casi el 50 % respecto a estimaciones anteriores. Son 7 millones de niños, además de sus amigos y familiares, que están en riesgo de sufrir un disparo.
Esta Semana SMART, únete a nosotros para animar a los propietarios de armas a guardarlas de forma segura en sus hogares y vehículos: descargadas, bajo llave y separadas de la munición. #BeSMART
FAQs
Answers to Your Questions About SMART Week
Who organizes SMART Week, and when did it start?
SMART Week is an initiative of the Be SMART program. The first SMART Week was held in 2024 and is designed to remind us that, as kids go back to school, adults have homework too: Protect children and teens from tragedy by securely storing every gun, every time, in every home and vehicle.
When is this year’s SMART Week?
SMART Week 2027 will take place Monday, August 23, through Friday, August 27.
How do I participate in SMART Week?
Many communities across the country host in-person and online events during SMART Week. Find an event near you: https://act.everytown.org/event/beSMART-events/
Families, advocates, community partners, and more can take part in SMART Week from anywhere by joining the conversation online. Follow our official Be SMART accounts on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook, and use the hashtag #BeSMART whenever you’re sharing your own posts.
You can also print and drop off Be SMART materials at locations — like libraries, coffee shops, or local businesses — across your community. Looking for support in sharing about secure gun storage? Text “SMART” to 644-33 to schedule a presentation on the SMART framework.