Rockford ASKS Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS ASK?

ASK (Asking Saves Kids) is a national public health initiative that was created in collaboration with The American Academy of Pediatrics.  Based on the frightening fact that over 40% of homes with children have a gun (many of these unlocked or loaded), the campaign encourages parents to simply ASK: ‘Are there guns where my children play?’

WHY ASK?

Research tells us that hiding guns and even talking to children about the dangers of guns is not enough.  Kids are curious and if they find guns, they are likely to play with them.  ASK gives parents a tool that they can employ immediately to make their children safer.  ASK materials even provide real-world tips on how to start what can seem like an awkward conversation.

HOW IS THE ASK MESSAGE SPREAD?

Of course, the message is spread every day as individual parents make a commitment to begin asking this life-saving question.  However, on a larger-scale, the ASK campaign is about combining the power of existing community partnerships and grass-roots education and outreach with a nationally renowned mass media campaign.  This is the strategy that is being employed in Rockford and we are very optimistic about the results.

WHY ROCKFORD?

In Rockford alone there are over 1,000 children living in a home with an unlocked or loaded gun, making it an ideal locale for the ASK Campaign.  We are confident that the project in Rockford—the first of it’s kind—will serve as a model to other regions across the country in developing similar locally focused campaigns.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ALREADY?  WHAT IS PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE?

We have already made great strides in Rockford beginning with the launch of the campaign on ASK Day, June 21, 2006.  Click here to see pics of the event.  The ASK/ Rockford Partners have developed a plan to reach each and every parent in Rockford by ASK Day 2007 through a variety of different venues, events, and activities.  Click here for information about past and future events and activities.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

To learn more about helping to spread the ASK message in Rockford or to talk to us about bringing the ASK message to your hometown, please contact Patrick Berry, ASK Program Associate, at 212-269-4152 or via email at patrick@paxusa.org.  You can also visit AskingSavesKids.org to download our Parent and Community Guide, a toolkit with tons of really good, practical ideas for bringing ASK to your community.