Rep. Dan Goldman Demands NYC Department of Education Distribute Safe Firearm Storage Guidance to All Parents and Guardians
September 9, 2025
NYC Schools Have Yet to Distribute Guidance to Families This Year, Despite Doing So Last Year at the Congressman’s Urging
Up to 350 Children Under the Age of 18 Unintentionally Shoot Themselves or Someone Else Every Year
Read the Letter Here
NEW YORK, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) sent a letter to New York City Department of Education Chancellor Avilés-Ramos urging NYC Public Schools to renew and expand their efforts to distribute firearm safe storage information to parents and families at the start of the 2025–26 school year.
“Proper storage is crucial for preventing tragedy and it is vital that our schools play a role in keeping our kids safe from the dangers of gun violence,” the Congressman wrote.
The letter notes that while the Department of Education participated last year in disseminating safe storage materials made available by the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Department of Education, principals and administrators were not required to share the information. That left distribution uneven and inconsistent, and many families were not reached.
“When guns are securely stored, the risk of children and teenagers accessing them and potentially causing harm to themselves or others significantly decreases,” the Congressman continued
Abbey Clements, co-founder and executive director of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, said, “Back to school means back to worrying about the safety of our students at school and at home. Guns are the leading cause of death for kids in America. The most important thing gun owners can do is to lock up their firearms. Safe storage saves lives.”
Citing data showing that 4.6 million children live in homes with unsecured firearms and that as many as 350 children unintentionally shoot themselves or others each year, Goldman stressed the urgency of ensuring that every family receives this information.
In his letter, Goldman urged NYC DOE to:
- Send firearm safe storage resources to all parents and guardians again this year, using multiple methods (letters, emails, flyers) to maximize visibility.
- Provide an update on last year’s outreach, including how many schools and families were reached, what communication methods were used, and any lessons learned about effectiveness.
Read the letter here or below:
Dear Chancellor Aviles-Ramos:
I write to urge you to ensure that New York City Public Schools take active steps to share information regarding safe firearm storage with as many parents and families in our communities as possible.
As you know, last year, NYC Public Schools successfully distributed information and resources regarding the safe firearm storage to parents and families. These efforts built upon actions taken by Biden-Harris Administration to promote the safe storage of firearms in an effort to combat gun violence. A key part of this approach involved the U.S. Department of Education issuing new resources for school officials to share with families on the importance of safe firearm storage to ensure that weapons do not end up in the wrong hands or accessed by children. However, school principals and administrators were not required to share this information which meant that without any encouragement or commitment by local leadership, this potentially lifesaving information would not reach parents, families, guardians, and caregivers.
Recent data suggests that approximately 4.6 million children live in homes with unsecured firearms, posing clear risks to their safety, and as many as 350 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else every year. When guns are securely stored, the risk of children and teenagers accessing them and potentially causing harm to themselves or others - whether intentionally or accidentally - significantly decreases. Proper storage is crucial for preventing tragedy and it is vital that our schools play a role in keeping our kids safe from the dangers of gun violence.
- Given the importance of understanding the benefits of secure firearm storage, and the new academic school year having begun on September 4, 2025, I respectfully request that NYC Public Schools take the following actions:
- Send firearm safe storage resources again this year to all parents and guardians, using multiple methods (letters, emails, flyers) to maximize outreach and visibility.
- Provide an update on last year’s outreach, including:
- How many schools and families were reached;
- What communication methods were used; and
- Any lessons learned about effectiveness.
Thank you for your partnership and I look forward to hearing from you about this important matter.
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