Michigan Schools Lead Secure Firearm Storage Initiative with $998K Grant

October 30, 2024

Study Aims to Guide National Secure Firearm Storage Strategies Through Community and Education Partnerships

October 28, 2024

In February 2024, Michigan introduced a safe storage law requiring secure firearm storage in homes with minors. This law targets preventing children’s access to firearms, addressing the leading cause of death in children in the U.S.

University of Michigan researchers from the School of Public Health and Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention received a $998,907 grant from the National Institute of Justice to evaluate a school-based safe storage campaign by End Gun Violence Michigan. This initiative aims to promote secure storage habits among adults and reduce youth firearm violence.

Set to launch in 2025, the study will rigorously assess the impact of educational campaigns on firearm storage practices. Utilizing surveys and administrative data, the research will evaluate changes in adult behaviors and firearm-related incidents in 30 Michigan high schools across diverse settings.

“In Michigan, we have community partners and youth who are ready to work alongside parents, students, and the school communities to promote firearm safety and evaluate how these campaigns can make a difference,” said Hsing-Fang Hsieh, research associate professor and co-director of the Education and Training Core at the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention.

Using schools as community hubs, the initiative seeks to spread secure firearm practices, enhancing communication between school staff, parents, and students.

“This research empowers youth voices and leverages schools as trusted messengers, embodying key community-engaged approaches central to public health,” said Justin Heinze, associate professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity at the U-M School of Public Health. Heinze and Hsieh lead the study as co-principal investigators.

The University of Michigan also received a $1M grant from the National Institute for Justice to study community safety perceptions in Detroit.

Media Contact

Destiny Cook

Senior Public Relations Specialist

University of Michigan School of Public Health

734-647-8650

Public Health IDEAS for Preventing Firearm Injuries

Michigan Public Health is uniquely positioned at the epicenter of research, resources, and expertise to tackle global challenges. This inspired the launch of Public Health IDEAS—an initiative to enhance collaboration and research in critical public health areas for lasting impact.