Why 7 Be SMART Visionaries Started Advocating for Secure Gun Storage

I was inspired to start spreading the word about secure storage for the sake of my own children following the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, at Robb Elementary School.
— Michael Sonntag

When I first began organizing in Minnesota, we didn’t have the right legislative makeup for policy change, and so I started to focus on our culture change! I love educating the public on the practical, life-saving step of secure storage and have become particularly motivated to share about the role that reducing access to lethal means has in preventing firearm suicide.

— Kathleen Anderson

As a state health grant director, it’s important to me that we enhance current programming whenever possible instead of duplicating efforts. Rhode Island’s Be SMART team was already doing incredible work, so when I was connected to them via a colleague, I knew it would be a perfect opportunity to support a dedicated group of volunteers in a project that helps both of us meet our goals.

— Kelsea Tucker, MS

My journey began after losing my son, Christin, to gun violence in 2021. His life was taken by a 17-year-old who operated a stolen firearm, and that tragedy forever changed my purpose. I realized that secure firearm storage is not just about protecting guns — it is about protecting lives, preventing avoidable tragedies, and giving families the chance to never experience the pain that mine has endured.

I continue to share the Be SMART message because education and awareness save lives. Every conversation about secure storage has the potential to prevent a child, teen, or someone in crisis from accessing an unsecured firearm. As a survivor, I believe my voice can help families understand that simple actions can make a life-changing difference.

— Sharon Robinson

During my 30 years in law enforcement, I’ve seen countless tragedies occur due to unsecured firearms that were able to be accessed by children. I strongly believe that gun ownership must be coupled with responsible, safe, secure storage of the firearm that makes them inaccessible to unauthorized users. This critical safety message must be consistently reinforced to the public and to law enforcement staff who are required to carry firearms as a condition of their employment.

— Sam Cogen

Working in a level 1 pediatric trauma center showed me the kinds of tragedies that can happen when firearms are loaded, unlocked, and available to children. Keeping firearms stored safely and out of the hands of children and teens who should not have access to them would prevent so many traumatic unintentional and intentional deaths. I think caregivers want to be responsible gun owners, and it’s our job to provide the education and resources they need.

— Marisa Abbe, PhD

Like so many of us, I needed to do something tangible to address the issue of gun violence in our country. Becoming a grandmother motivated me even more to take action for their futures! The Be SMART platform, promoting secure storage and normalizing conversations around gun ownership, is so straightforward and just makes sense — it is a powerful message!

— Cindy Wingenroth

“My advice would be to find at least one partner and then plan together! Having someone to help bounce ideas around, share event staffing, and prep tabling materials is so motivating and important — you keep each other going!

Identify a segment of your community where you have an ‘in’, and start your outreach there. That could be a school/PTO, public safety/police, local government or elected official, religious organization, service group, library, small business, or something else. Be SMART has so many resources available to support this work; it’s not hard to find something that will appeal to your specific audience. Things build over time, and all conversations matter. You never know where one event can lead!”

— Cindy Wingenroth

“Just start by asking about secure gun storage when your children go to play somewhere — it often starts with simple conversations that most people are surprisingly open to (but often just don’t think about).”

— Michael Sonntag

“Tabling for Be SMART is fun and helps you practice the talking points. Honestly though, I was a terrified public speaker and had to just say yes to every opportunity that came my way. With time and practice, it became much more comfortable for me! You can do it!”

— Kathleen Anderson

“I start the conversation with the idea that you don’t have to be an expert to make a difference. Share why secure firearm storage matters, listen with compassion, and approach every conversation without judgment. If comfortable, one can share one’s personal story. Lived stories have the power to inspire action and build understanding.

Remember, every conversation is an opportunity to help prevent gun violence and save lives. Small, consistent actions can create meaningful change in one’s family, one’s community, and beyond.”

— Sharon Robinson

“Stay focused on the stories and the families who need us the most! Reach out to others who are doing injury and violence prevention in your community to get connected with like -minded folks who want to make a difference.”

— Marisa Abbe, PhD

“All law enforcement leaders should look internally within their own departments and prioritize the safe and secure storage of firearms by their law enforcement personnel. As public safety professionals, they should then expand the focus on safe storage to the public that they serve, particularly emphasizing restricting children’s access to firearms through locked storage. Contacting Be SMART through their website is an effective way of leveraging Be SMART’s expertise and resources to begin a program in their jurisdiction.”
— Sam Cogen

“Get connected to your local chapter to learn what events, initiatives, and opportunities they already have. Join one of those, or identify a gap and see if you can fill it.”

— Kelsea Tucker, MS

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