Project ChildSafe – Promoting Gun Safety
My interview with Joe Bartozzi from Project ChildSafe focused on promoting responsible gun ownership and secure firearm storage. Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program that provides free educational resources and firearm safety kits. The program partners with local law enforcement to distribute gun locks and safety information across communities in the United States. Its mission is to reduce firearm accidents, misuse, and theft through awareness and secure storage.
Since its launch in 1999, Project ChildSafe has significantly improved gun safety nationwide. Over the past 25 years, firearm accidents have decreased by 40 percent, a major achievement for the program. Originally called Project HomeSafe, the initiative began with federal funding under the George W. Bush administration. Today, Project ChildSafe continues its mission by offering free resources and safety materials to gun owners everywhere. Its long-standing success highlights the importance of education and responsibility in firearm ownership.
Bartozzi explained that Project ChildSafe now partners with more than 15,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide. The program operates across all 50 states and five U.S. territories, making it the largest initiative of its kind. Beyond law enforcement, it has also formed partnerships with about 13,000 local organizations. These include faith-based groups, gun shops, and safety instructors who help distribute firearm locks and educational content. This network ensures that safety information and resources reach as many people as possible.
We also discussed ways that communities can get involved with Project ChildSafe. Local organizations can share promotional materials, host educational events, and participate in fundraising efforts to expand outreach. By spreading awareness, communities strengthen firearm safety culture while preventing misuse, theft, and suicide. Bartozzi emphasized that Project ChildSafe was built by gun owners for gun owners, hunters, and shooters. Its focus remains on protecting families and communities by making secure storage a standard practice.