Read The Facts

FACT: A burglary occurs approximately every 15 seconds in the United States. Source: FBI's Crime in the United States Report (2003)

FACT: 4.1 million households are burglarized in the United States each year. Most home break-ins occur between 10 am and 2 pm. Source: Bureau of Justice

FACT: 7,000 violent crimes are committed by juveniles each year -using guns found in their own homes. Source: Bureau of Justice

FACT: In 2002, forcible entry burglaries accounted for 62.8 percent of the burglary offenses, unlawful entry comprised 30.8 percent, and attempted forcible entry accounted for approximately 6.5 percent. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

FACT: In 2002, the majority of burglaries, 65.8 percent, were residential. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

FACT: Losses due to burglary totaled an estimated $3.3 billion in 2002, with an estimated average value of $1,549 per offense. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

FACT: There are an estimated 2,329,950 annual burglaries nationwide. Source: FBI 1999 Uniform Crime Reports

FACT: This year, one in six homes will be burglarized. Source: FBI 1999 Uniform Crime Reports

FACT: There is no safe place to "hide" a gun. All people have the same "hiding" places. In fact, most burglars find a gun to steal within 4 minutes. Source: Stop Our Shootings, Inc.

FACT: Stopping criminal and child access means keeping your gun secured in your home. A gun safe should be bolted to the studs in the wall of a house in order to prevent the gun safe from being removed from the home and opened at a remote location by a youth or a criminal. Source: Stop Our Shootings, Inc.

FACT: In most accidental, suicidal and homicidal shootings, the guns were accessed because they were not properly secured by the owner. According to The Bureau of Justice's Firearm and Crime Statistics 1997 Survey of State Prison Inmates, among those possessing a gun, the source of the gun was from:

• a flea market or gun show for fewer than 2%
• a retail store or pawnshop for about 12%
• family, friends, a street buy, or an illegal source for 80%

FACT: 40% of American households with children have guns. Source: Peter Hart Research Associates Poll, July 1999

FACT: 66% of students in grades 6-12 say they could obtain a firearm in 24 hours. Source: Harvard School of Public Health