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Since its founding in 2013, Grandparents for Gun Safety (GGS) has worked to keep this community safer from gun violence. GGS advocates for common sense gun regulations, educates on the risks and responsibility of gun ownership and secure gun storage, participates in community events with like-minded individuals and organizations, and provides high-quality gun locks throughout the metro.

Download GGS 2025 highlights here.

LOCK IT FOR LOVE

  • Since 2017, more than 100 GGS volunteers have distributed nearly 10,000 locks at close to 300 events in 128 Kansas and Missouri ZIP codes.
  • 2025 was the busiest LIFL year yet. GGS volunteers and partner organizations distributed nearly 2,000 gun locks at events including KCMO Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw’s Backpack Giveaway, Vibrant Health & KCKFD Health Fair, and Children’s Mercy’s Community Baby Shower.
  • GGS continued community partnerships with Swope Health and Troost39 Thrift Store, and expanded with new partners Hope Family Care Center, The Hub Argentine in KCK, and College Park Family Clinics, who provided locks to families. 
  • The Plaza Rotary club raise and matched funds to purchase GGS locks for Swope Pediatric GGS is now working with additional regional Missouri Rotary clubs for broader gun safety impact.
  • In 2026, GGS will recognize a milestone of 10,000 locks provided to vulnerable families in the Kansas City area. Every lock distributed is a potential life saved.

FORUM

A record 400 attendees heard nationally known pastor and author John Pavlovitz speak to the role of faith in gun violence prevention at the 12th Annual GGS Community Forum. With a theme of Faith and Firearms: Turning Faith Into Action, a panel of local faith leaders shared how they work to make communities safer. Through the new Caring Communities group ticket program, more attendees were able to come to the Forum.

ADVOCACY

  • In fall of 2024 for Kansas and spring of 2025 for Missouri, GGS held inaugural Legislative Coffees to hear from and ask questions of state legislators, with seven elected officials attending each.
  • Lobbied in-person for common sense gun reform during legislator visits in Topeka and Jefferson City.
  • Sent letters and postcards to legislators with statistics on gun violence, urging them to support “good” bills and oppose “bad” ones.
  • Emailed GGS members with updates on gun bills and related legislation and provided information to use when contacting elected officials to urge them to support or oppose identified bills.
  • Provided Advocacy Action activities at each monthly.

MONTHLY MEETING PROGRAMS

Each month, GGS invites community leaders, experts and those with lived experiences to share their stories about gun violence prevention. Speakers in 2025 included newly elected Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson, Wyandotte County ThrYve (Together Helping Reduce Youth Violence for Equity) and Shawnee Mission East Students Against Gun Violence youth leaders, Wyandotte County Health Department leaders and those who lost loved ones to gun violence spoke to about 70 individuals at GGS meetings. All are welcome to attend monthly GGS meetings, usually held at 4 pm the fourth Monday at Colonial Church, Prairie Village.

PARTICIPATION

GGS volunteers:

  • Attended weekly KC 360 meetings with 40+ groups collaborating to reduce community violence.
  • Coordinated Wear Orange weekend with Moms Demand to kick off Gun Violence Awareness month, and participated in rallies and vigils with Moms, Lives on the Line, Mothers in Charge and others to promote gun violence prevention.
  • For 2026, GGS looks to increase community outreach and partnerships, including with youth and faith communities.

EDUCATION

In addition to monthly meetings, GGS volunteers educated the community about gun rights, risks and responsibilities, and about GGS efforts to reduce area gun deaths, by speaking to groups or sharing information at tabling events. Each packaged gun lock also includes educational information.

It is a myth that a gun in the home makes someone safer. In fact…

  • Access to a gun in the home increases the risk of death by suicide 300%. Brady United
  • Every 16 hours, a woman is fatally shot by her current or former partner. Brady United
  • When there is a gun in the home, 53% of children know where the gun is stored; only 11% of parents believe the child knows. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress

OTHER INITIATIVES

  • GGS honored founder Judy Sherry with a Founder’s Fund – a campaign to fund special projects as needed.
  • The first GGS Trivia Night helped kick off Gun Violence Awareness month with an event that was fun and educational.
  • GGS’ first full year with an executive director, also included strategic planning, a board visioning session, retreat, and updated bylaws and board terms.
  • With individual support, Forum sponsorships, memberships and grants, record funds were raised to provide more gun locks, programs and services to help make the community safer.