Gun Safety
Gunshot wounds are among our most common cause of injuries seen at the UNC Trauma Center. Our injury prevention efforts surrounding this serious and complicated problem consist of offering Stop the Bleed classes to community and providing community agencies such as law enforcement with gun locks to distribute in to community members.
In 2019 we co-founded the Orange County Firearm Safety Team in partnership with the Orange County Health Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The team consists of our local law enforcement agencies, public health, faith communities, and social services. In addition, Safe Kids Orange and Safe Kids Chatham coalitions work on firearm safety initiatives. Our activities include providing gun locks and safe firearm storage education through community organizations.
For more information on Stop the Bleed classes please contact Kathy Wilson, Adult Nurse Educator, at Katherine.Wilson@unchealth.unc.edu. For more information on safe firearm storage community education, or how you can get a cable gun lock at no cost, please contact Anna Stormzand, Injury Prevention Coordination, at anna.stormzand@unchealth.unc.edu or 984-974-2437.
Talk to Kids and Families about Gun Safety
- Tell kids that a gun they see on TV or in a game is different from a gun in real life.
- Teach kids DO NOT touch a gun and to tell an adult if they see one right away.
- Learn how to ask about safe gun storage with other families.
Know the Laws for Your Safety and Protection of Others
Recognize the Role of Firearms Safety in Suicide Prevention
Get Rid of Guns You Don’t Need
- If you decide that you no longer need to have a gun in your home, get rid of it. You can dispose of guns legally by taking it your local law enforcement office. Make sure it is unloaded.
Find nearby locations where you can temporarily store firearms outside of your home at https://www.ncsafe.org/safestorage/ (please scroll to bottom of page for a statewide map)
Need a free cable gun lock for your home? Please visit any of these locations listed below:
Orange County Sheriff's Office:
106 E Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Hillsborough Police Department:
127 N Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Chapel Hill Police Department:
828 M.L.K. Jr Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Carrboro Police Department:
100 N Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 27510
Orange County Health Department (Whitted Human Services Center):
300 W Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC 27278
Orange County Rape Crisis Center:
1229 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Chapel Hill Library:
100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Orange County Department on Aging Centers:
Seymour Center: 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Passmore Center: 103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, NC 27278
Orange County Department of Social Services
113 Mayo St., Hillsborough, NC 27278
Orange County Emergency Services (EMS):
510 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Orange County Schools Welcome Center:
920 Corporate Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Contact: Andrew Poole
Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM):
300 Millstone Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Efland-Cheeks Community Center:
117 Richmond Rd, Mebane, NC 27302
Chatham County Sheriff's Office:
295 West Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Pittsboro Police Department:
635 East Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Siler City Police Department:
312 N Chatham Ave., Siler City, NC 27344
Chatham County Public Health Department Clinic:
1000 S 10th Ave, Siler City, NC 27344
Chatham County Schools Central Office:
468 Renaissance Drive, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Contact: Rob Schooley (919.548.4116)
Chatham County Department of Social Services:
102 Camp Dr, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Learn How to Secure Your Firearm
How to Use a Cable Gun Lock
Learning & Resources
Gun Safety and Violence Prevention Helpful Links
- NC S.A.F.E (Securing All Firearms Effectively)
- Be Smart for Kids
- NCDHHS Injury and Prevention Branch
- Project Child Safe
- Prevent Child Injury
- Safe Storage 101
- Stop the Bleed
- The Firearms Industry Trade Association
- Many Paths to Firearm Safety
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
Suicide Prevention Resources
The Community Guide to Violence Prevention PDF [DOWNLOAD]
Firearm Safety in Vehicles [DOWNLOAD]
Listen to our podcasts on safe gun storage
Safe Gun Storage & Gun Safety Tips from NC Wildlife
For More information, please don’t hesitate to inquire:
101 Manning Dr., Chapel Hill, North Carolinatarheeltrauma@unchealth.unc.edu
