Rotarians for Gun Safety

 
Missouri has some of the highest rates of gun deaths, injuries, and household firearm ownership in the United States. (Source: Everytown for Gun Safety.) Rotarians for Gun Safety was formed out of concern for the high number of accidental deaths and suicides involving guns in our communities. The group works to make our communities safer by partnering with local law enforcement, hospitals, behavioral health centers, and organizations that promote gun safety and secure storage. We are committed to a non-partisan approach to family and community safety. 

 

There are several meaningful ways clubs can participate right away. Clubs can host educational programs featuring gun safety experts, organize Lock It for Love events to distribute gun locks in their communities, and partner with local organizations to promote safe firearm storage through awareness campaigns. These actions raise awareness, support prevention, and provide families with practical safety tools.

The initiative started with announcements in the district newsletter inviting Rotarians to join the committee. Work began in June and July of 2025, led by Janet Gremaud from the Thousand Hills Rotary Club in Kirksville. Clubs currently involved include Liberty, Waldo-Brookside, Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit Sunrise, Independence, KC Plaza, Chillicothe, St. Joe Southside, Unionville, and Kirksville Thousand Hills. The district governor team also participates. We welcome new members. (See contact information later in this article.)

The Kansas City chapter of Grandparents for Gun Safety (GGS) is a key partner of our committee. They offer club programs on gun safety and lead the Lock It for Love (LIFL) project. These programs are available to all D6040 clubs, including an online option for rural clubs. Lock It for Love shares information about gun statistics in Missouri and encourages using gun locks to help prevent suicide and accidental deaths from unsafe storage. Clubs can learn about the GGS LIFL program and receive the tools they need to host their own fundraising events to distribute gun locks in their communities.

In February, Rotarian Nancy Shawver co-hosted a Lock It for Love event with GGS members, Judy Sherry and Barb McNeile, for the KC-Plaza Rotary Club.  Club members bought locks in honor of their children or grandchildren for $7 each, bringing their 3 year total donations to a total of $10,000 for gun locks to be distributed by Swope Health. KC Plaza members show the success and enthusiasm we hope to inspire with more LIFL events across our district!

Rotarians for Gun Safety invite you to join us in this important effort to create safer, more peaceful communities. Contact us to learn simple ways your club can make a big difference in improving gun safety at home. Rotarians for Gun Safety is a subcommittee of the D6040 Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee.

If you or your club would like to get involved, contact District Committee Chair Janet Gremaud at jggremaud@gmail.com or 660-342-6685.

To schedule a Grandparents for Gun Safety program for your club or learn more about the Lock It For Love project, contact GGS at info@grandparentsforgunsafety.org.