New funding for 2006 allows the National Rifle Association to offer free Eddie Eagle GunSafe materials to law enforcement officers throughout the country.

NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe program teaches children in pre-K through third grade that, if they see a gun, to: “STOP! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.” The program was created by past NRA President Marion P. Hammer and developed with the assistance of teachers, child psychologists, law enforcement professionals, and NRA’s own gun safety experts. The program makes no value judgments about guns, and no guns are ever present during the program.

Among children, fatal firearm accidents in the Eddie Eagle age group have been reduced more than two-thirds since the program’s inception, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. NRA feels that gun accident prevention programs such as Eddie Eagle are a significant factor in that decline.

Since 1988, Eddie’s lifesaving message has been taught to more than 18 million children by 25,000 law enforcement officers, elementary school teachers, and community safety activists. Eddie Eagle has been endorsed or honored by: 26 state governors, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the U.S. Department of Justice (through its Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention), the National Association of School Safety and Law Enforcement Officers, the Police Athletic League, and others.

The program’s curriculum materials include a colorful animated video, activity workbooks, posters, reward stickers, and instructor guides. Both English and Spanish versions are available.

Free materials are available while funding lasts to law enforcement officers who teach firearm accident prevention to children. Officers should call 800-336-7402 and state that they represent a law enforcement agency to request their free Eddie Eagle materials.

For more information about Eddie Eagle call (800) 231-0752 or visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie.