RALEIGH
Store all guns safely at home
Gov. Josh Stein proclaimed June 1-7 as the North Carolina S.A.F.E. Week of Action. Sponsored by the N.C. Department of Public Safety, this week seeks to unite communities, families and organizations statewide in promoting the lifesaving importance of safe firearm storage.
“Safely storing firearms can be the difference between life and death,” Stein said in a release. “When people understand the risks, they are more likely to take action to protect themselves and their families. That’s what S.A.F.E. week is all about – keeping people safe from gun violence.”
According to FBI data, the rate of gun theft from vehicles is three times as high as it was 10 years ago. Gun thefts are also on the rise, with 10 North Carolina cities ranking in the top
100 U.S. cities for reported gun thefts from vehicles in 2022.
These trends highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to prevent gun-related tragedies. To reduce gun violence and needless tragedy, Stein proposed more than $2.2 million for safe storage in his budget proposal. Research indicates that secure firearm storage is crucial to lowering the risk of gun violence.
“Every conversation and every gun lock distributed brings us closer to a safer North Carolina,” Department of Public Safety Deputy Secretary William Lassiter said. “Our collective efforts are reaching families across the state and making a real impact.”
ANDREWS
DMV opening on Saturdays
Cherokee County’s N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles office at 1440 Main St. will be open from 8 a.m. until noon Saturdays for walk-in appointments until Aug. 23.
Schedule an appointment for another day or check the required documents at NCDOT.gov.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.