Safe Storage of Prescriptions & Firearms

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Safe Storage of Prescription Drugs and Firearms

The safety and well-being of our students is a shared responsibility. As required by Va. Code § 22.1-79.3(F), Newport News Public Schools is providing this annual notification regarding the importance of securely storing prescription drugs and safely storing firearms in the household.

Securely Store Prescription Medications

Prescription medications should always be stored securely and out of the reach and sight of children and others who are not authorized to use them. Families are encouraged to:

  • Keep prescription medications in a locked cabinet, lockbox, or other secure location.
  • Keep medications in their original, labeled containers.
  • Never share prescription medication with another person.
  • Dispose of unused or expired medications safely and promptly.
  • Talk with children about the dangers of taking medication that has not been prescribed to them.

Secure storage helps prevent accidental poisoning, medication misuse, and intentional misuse by children and adolescents.

Safely Store Firearms

Virginia law places responsibilities on individuals who possess firearms in a residence where children or other prohibited persons are present.

Under Va. Code § 18.2-308.7:1, a person who possesses a firearm in a residence where the person knows a minor or a person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present must store the firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to the minor or prohibited person, or render the firearm incapable of being fired through an appropriate gun-locking device. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Virginia law also provides that it is unlawful to recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm in a manner that endangers the life or limb of a child under age 14. It is also unlawful to knowingly authorize a child under age 12 to use a firearm except under the supervision specified by law. Violations are Class 1 misdemeanors. Va. Code § 18.2-56.2.

Safe-storage practices

The safest approach is to:

  • Store firearms unloaded and locked in a firearm safe, locked box, or with an appropriate locking device.
  • Store ammunition locked and separately from firearms.
  • Keep keys, combinations, and access codes inaccessible to children.
  • Never assume that hiding a firearm or placing it out of a child's immediate reach is sufficient. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends locked storage because simply keeping a firearm out of sight or reach does not constitute safe storage. (CDC⁠)
  • Ask about firearm storage before allowing your child to visit another home.
  • If a child or family member may be at risk of suicide or harming themselves or others, consider temporarily removing firearms from the home or otherwise making access impossible. The Virginia Department of Health specifically recommends this precaution. (Virginia Department of Health⁠)

 Why Safe Firearm Storage Matters

Firearms can cause fatal and nonfatal injuries through suicide, homicide, and unintentional shootings. Secure storage can reduce the opportunity for a child or adolescent to access a firearm without adult supervision.

According to the CDC, firearm injuries were the leading cause of death among U.S. children and teens ages 1–19 in 2022, when all firearm-related deaths—including suicides, homicides, and unintentional injuries—are considered. (CDC⁠)

CDC data also show that firearms are a significant factor in suicide. In 2023, firearms were used in 55.33% of suicides in the United States, making firearms the most common method of suicide. (CDC⁠)

Among children and adolescents, the risk of unintentional firearm injury is also significant. A CDC analysis of deaths among children ages 0–17 from 2003–2021 identified 1,262 unintentional firearm injury deaths. Most occurred in a house or apartment, and the firearms involved were frequently stored loaded and unlocked. (CDC⁠)

For Virginia specifically, the Virginia Department of Education reports that between 2019 and 2023, nearly one in three deaths among Virginia children and teens ages 1–17 involved a firearm. During that period, 19.5% of deaths in this age group were firearm homicides and 11.8% were firearm suicides. (Virginia Department of Education⁠)

These statistics underscore why secure firearm storage is an important part of protecting children and adolescents.

Know the Warning Signs and Seek Help

Families should take seriously significant changes in a child's behavior, particularly when accompanied by statements or actions suggesting hopelessness, self-harm, suicide, or harm toward others.

Warning signs may include:

  • Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves;
  • Looking for a way to die or researching ways to harm themselves;
  • Expressing hopelessness or saying they have no reason to live;
  • Feeling trapped, unbearable emotional pain, or being a burden to others;
  • Increased substance use;
  • Significant withdrawal or isolation;
  • Agitation, reckless behavior, rage, or extreme mood changes; and,
  • Talking about seeking revenge or harming another person.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline identifies these as potential warning signs and encourages people to seek help when they are present. (988 Lifeline⁠)

If you are concerned that your child may be a danger to themselves or someone else:

  1. Take the concern seriously and stay with the child.
  2. Secure or remove access to firearms, medications, and other potentially dangerous items.
  3. Contact your child's pediatrician, mental health provider, school counselor, school psychologist, or another qualified professional.
  4. Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support from trained counselors. (988 Lifeline⁠)
  5. Call 911 immediately if there is an imminent threat of harm or a life-threatening emergency. (Virginia Department of Education⁠)

Asking for help is a sign of responsible parenting, not failure. Early intervention can make a meaningful difference.

Resources

Families can find additional information about firearm safety, suicide prevention, and youth safety through the following resources:

For additional information about Virginia's firearm-storage requirements, please review Va. Code § 18.2-308.7:1 and Va. Code § 18.2-56.2. (Virginia Law⁠)