Church to host program 'Be SMART with Firearm Ownership: Protect Children and Save Lives' on June 24

ROCK TAVERN — Each year in the United States, nearly 300 children aged 17 and under gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. Nearly 500 more die by suicide with a gun.
On Sunday, June 24, at 1:15 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern fellowship, Jen Carhart-French will present a "Be SMART" framework developed to help parents and adults learn to prevent child gun deaths and injuries.
Carhart-French is a mother of three who grew up in a hunting environment. She knows firsthand the responsibilities associated with firearm ownership and the importance of education. At her home in Fairfax County, Virginia, she is a sought-after speaker on this topic.
According to the Be Smart website (http://besmartforkids.org/), "When it comes to having guns in the home, we can't rely on our kids to adhere to the rules we set. It's our responsibility - as adults - to Be SMART about safe gun storage"
The Be SMART campaign calls on all adults to prevent tragedies and save children's lives by following these simple steps:
• Secure all guns in your home and vehicles
• Model responsible behavior around guns
• Ask about the presence of unsecured guns
• Recognize the risks of teen suicide
• Tell your peers to be SMART.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern is located at 9 Vance Road, off Route 207 in the Town of New Windsor, three miles west of Stewart International Airport.
For further information, contact Linda Mangelsdorf at lncrn@aol.com or (845) 728-3260 (voice only, no text).