National SAFE Day
June 4, 2027
About National SAFE Day
National SAFE Day is observed every year on 4 June to raise awareness of firearm safety and to promote the secure storage of guns in the home. Founded by the Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation, the day honours children who have died in preventable shootings involving unsecured firearms and encourages families to take simple, life-saving precautions. In 2027 it falls on Friday, 4 June.
What is National SAFE Day?
National SAFE Day is an American awareness campaign dedicated to preventing accidental shootings, particularly those involving children. It was created by the Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation (BMMF) in memory of a 13-year-old girl who was accidentally shot and killed by a friend who found an unsecured handgun in a kitchen cabinet. The day is built around a memorable acronym that gives the campaign its name: Secure all firearms in the home, Ask about unsecured firearms in homes your child visits, Frequently talk to children about the dangers firearms pose, and Educate and empower others to be SAFE. The aim is practical rather than political: to reduce the number of preventable deaths through responsible gun ownership and safe storage.
When is National SAFE Day?
National SAFE Day takes place annually on 4 June. In 2027 the date falls on a Friday. The date is fixed because it marks the anniversary of the tragedy that inspired the campaign, ensuring the day always serves as both a remembrance and a renewed call to action. It sits within June, a month that also includes National Safety Month in the United States, giving the firearm safety message a wider seasonal context.
Why National SAFE Day Matters
The statistics behind National SAFE Day are sobering. An estimated 4.6 million children in the United States live in homes with at least one unsecured firearm, and roughly 6.7 million live in homes with a loaded, unlocked gun. Between 2015 and 2021, unintentional shootings by children caused 926 deaths and more than 1,600 non-fatal injuries, with the rate among under-18s rising by 82 per cent over that period.
What makes these tragedies so devastating is that they are almost entirely preventable. Research shows that firearms used in unintentional child deaths were usually stored loaded (74 per cent) and unlocked (76 per cent), and that around two thirds of incidents happened while a child was playing with or showing the gun to others. Households that locked both firearms and ammunition saw an 85 per cent lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children. National SAFE Day exists to put that evidence into the hands of ordinary families.
How to Get Involved in National SAFE Day
There are many ways to support National SAFE Day, whether or not you own a firearm:
- Audit your home storage – Check that every firearm in your home is unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition. A gun safe, lock box, or cable lock can make the difference between an ordinary day and a tragedy.
- Have the conversation before a playdate – Before your child visits another home, ask whether there are unsecured firearms on the property. It can feel awkward, but framing it alongside questions about allergies or pets makes it part of routine safety.
- Talk to your children – Teach children never to touch a gun and to tell an adult immediately if they find one. Repeat the message often, because a single conversation is rarely enough.
- Share the SAFE acronym – Post the four SAFE principles on social media so the practical advice reaches as many parents and gun owners as possible.
- Support the Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation – Donate to or volunteer with the organisation behind the day to help fund education and free safety devices.
- Pick up a free or low-cost lock – Many police departments, hospitals, and community groups distribute free gun locks. Use National SAFE Day as the prompt to collect one.
- Encourage local schools and clubs – Ask youth organisations to include firearm safety in their wellbeing programmes, reaching families who might not hear the message otherwise.
History of National SAFE Day
National SAFE Day grew directly out of personal tragedy. On 4 June 2013, 13-year-old Brooklynn Mae Mohler was visiting a friend’s home when the friend discovered a loaded handgun, kept accessible and with the safety off, in a kitchen cabinet. While handling the weapon, the friend accidentally shot Brooklynn, who died as a result. Her death was entirely preventable and stemmed from a single failure to store a firearm safely.
In the years that followed, Brooklynn’s parents, Jacob and Darchel Mohler, channelled their grief into advocacy. In 2016 they established the Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation and launched National SAFE Day, choosing 4 June so that the anniversary of her death would become an annual reminder to other families. Rather than focusing on debate over gun ownership, they built the campaign around education and the simple, evidence-based steps that prevent accidents.
Since its founding, National SAFE Day has grown through grassroots sharing, partnerships with safety organisations, and the steady spread of the SAFE acronym. Its emphasis on practical action, secure storage, honest conversations, and community education, has helped it reach gun-owning and non-gun-owning families alike.
Noteworthy Facts About National SAFE Day
- The day commemorates the death of Brooklynn Mae Mohler on 4 June 2013, which is why the date never changes.
- The Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation formally launched the observance in 2016.
- The SAFE acronym stands for Secure, Ask, Frequently talk, and Educate and empower.
- Around 4.6 million American children live in homes with an unsecured firearm.
- States with secure storage laws record unintentional shootings by children that are 31 to 35 per cent lower than states without them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National SAFE Day?
National SAFE Day is an annual awareness day promoting firearm safety and the secure storage of guns, especially in homes with children. It was founded by the Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation to prevent the kind of accidental shooting that killed 13-year-old Brooklynn Mohler.
When is National SAFE Day in 2027?
National SAFE Day falls on Friday, 4 June 2027. It is observed on the same date every year.
Who founded National SAFE Day?
It was founded in 2016 by Jacob and Darchel Mohler through the Brooklynn Mae Mohler Foundation, in memory of their daughter who died in a preventable shooting in 2013.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National SAFE Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #NationalSAFEDay and #NationalSAFEDay2027 on social media. The more people who know about National SAFE Day, the bigger the impact.
Related Awareness Days
- National Button Battery Awareness Day – Another campaign focused on protecting children from preventable household dangers.
- Drowning Prevention Week – A safety observance dedicated to preventing accidental deaths, particularly among young people.
- National Children’s Day – A day celebrating children and the importance of keeping them safe and supported.
Links
Featured image: Photo by Teitur Hansen on Unsplash.
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
