Congress Backs June 21st 'ASK Day' to Promote Safe Gun Storage and Child Safety

This resolution, passed by the House of Representatives, is all about official government support for a public health campaign aimed at keeping kids safe: the ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Campaign. Essentially, Congress is putting its stamp of approval on designating June 21, 2025, as National ASK Day. The core message is simple but critical: gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., and millions of kids live in homes where firearms are often stored loaded and unlocked, leading to accidental shootings, sometimes called "family fire."

The Simple Question That Could Save a Life

The ASK Campaign encourages parents to ask one question before dropping their kids off at a friend’s house for a playdate or sleepover: "Is there an unlocked gun in your house?" The resolution highlights that this campaign, which started back in 2000, is one of the few national safe storage programs proven effective. This isn't a new law or a mandate, but rather a formal recognition of the problem and an endorsement of a specific, easy-to-implement solution. For parents juggling work and family, this resolution validates a necessary, if awkward, conversation that needs to happen for safety.

Backing Public Health Outreach

The resolution doesn't stop at just recognizing the awareness day. It also formally encourages public health workers, doctors, and other relevant professionals to actively discuss gun ownership and safe storage practices with their patients and their parents or guardians. This provision (Section 1(3)) is interesting because it uses the power of Congress to encourage the medical community to treat firearm safety as a standard public health issue, similar to how pediatricians discuss car seats or smoking cessation. This could mean that during your child’s annual check-up, your doctor might start bringing up the topic of safe firearm storage, integrating it into routine preventative care.

What This Means for Everyday People

Since this is a resolution and not a bill, it doesn't create any new laws, taxes, or regulations. You won't see a change in your gun rights or new requirements for gun owners. Instead, its impact is purely in awareness and institutional support. By designating June 21st—the start of summer when kids are most likely visiting other homes—Congress lends significant weight to the ASK Campaign. For organizations like the Brady Campaign, this official recognition can boost funding, publicity, and the campaign’s overall reach. For every parent, this resolution is a reminder that while the government isn't forcing any change, they are strongly endorsing a practical safety measure that falls squarely on individuals to implement.