Local volunteers present Be SMART secure-storage program to Molalla River SD 35 board
Summary
Volunteers from the Be SMART campaign briefed the Molalla River SD 35 board on secure firearm storage, suicide-prevention research and free community resources including trigger and cable locks; the board asked about outreach and confirmed the program is adult-focused, not a classroom curriculum.
A team of volunteers from the Be SMART campaign, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, presented to the Molalla River SD 35 board on May 14 about secure firearm storage and related suicide-prevention strategies.
Sandy Kossack, who identified themself as a state co-lead for Be SMART and the local group lead, opened the presentation by summarizing the campaign’s purpose and evidence. Sandy said “firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens,” referenced a recent Journal of the American Medical Association study and cited a national figure that roughly 6.7 million children live in homes with at least one loaded unlocked gun. The presenters framed their discussion around the S-M-A-R-T steps: Secure, Model, Ask, Recognize and Tell, and explained that secure storage — unloading, locking firearms and storing ammunition separately — reduces risk.
Sue DeMolt and Alicia Snyder described local outreach plans and resources. The presenters said Be SMART focuses on adults, not classroom instruction, and provides free trigger and cable locks at tabling events such as farmers markets and National Night Out while partnering with local police and community organizations.
Board members asked how the campaign reaches broader audiences and whether the district could hand out materials. Presenters said the program is explicitly adult-oriented and not a curricular program for students; they encouraged the board to share information with families and outlined statewide volunteer coverage in the Molalla area.
The presentation closed with an offer to answer follow-up questions and to coordinate community tabling and distribution of free locks. No board action was requested.
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