WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who serves as Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, introduced a Congressional resolution today to recognize June 21st, the first day of summer, as National Asking Saves Kids (ASK) Day.

The National ASK Day initiative, which is led by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, encourages parents to ask each other – “Is there a loaded, unsecured gun in your house?” The goals of National ASK Day have been endorsed by Head Start, the American Public Health Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Every single day, seven children and teens are killed by gun violence and 40 more are shot and survive. And most of the time, the incident could be prevented if the gun was unloaded and locked away safely,” said Cicilline. “Asking this simple question will help save lives and reduce the level of gun violence in our country.”

1.7 million American children live in a home with a loaded, unlocked gun, and 3 out of every 4 children ages 5-14 know where guns are kept in their home. 90% of children who die in accidental shootings are killed by a family member or friend. More than two-thirds of all guns used in school shootings come from the shooter's home or that of a relative.

National ASK Day was first recognized in 2001. The initiative was established in honor of 13-year old John Price, who was killed in an accidental shooting a friend’s house in 1998. His mother, Carole, later served as honorary chairwoman for the ASK Day initiative.