Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program mascot costume competition

NRA Field Representative Dan Wilhelm recently presented an Eddie Eagle costume to the Gridley-Biggs Police Department, winners of the 2008 Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program Mascot Costume Competition in northern California.

To take part in the contest, law enforcement agencies must submit an application describing how the addition of an Eddie Eagle costume would be used to reach the maximum number of children in a particular community. Samantha La Violette of the Gridley-Biggs Police Department (GBPD) in Gridley, CA submitted the winning application for this year's Northern California contest. The GBPD started running their Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program two years ago and the addition of the mascot costume will certainly increase the program's effectiveness.

Since its commencement in 1988, more than 21 million young children have been taught Eddie Eagle's three-step safety message: If you see a gun: STOP! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.

The Eddie Eagle mascot helps capture children's attention during assemblies and leaves a lasting impression in their minds. Beginning in 1996, the mascot costumes were made available to individual law enforcement agencies. In 2001, the Costume Contest was created with the help of Friends of the NRA whose chapters contribute the $2,650 cost per costume. So far, 28 costumes have been donated through the contest to law enforcement agencies around the country.

"Our Department is proud to partner with the NRA and the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program," said Gary D. Keeler, Chief of the Gridley-Biggs Police Department. "Not only is gun safety an important topic to teach young people, this program will help us with community outreach. Our Department staff will work directly with and in the community to promote gun safety."

Since the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program was launched, the annual number of firearm-related deaths among children of the program's age group declined more than 80%. Gun accident prevention programs like Eddie Eagle are a significant factor in that decline.

In the interest of increasing gun accident prevention awareness, the NRA encourages citizens nationwide to actively participate in their local communities.

Law enforcement agencies, schools, civic groups, and others interested in more information about the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program should visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie, call 800-231-0752, or e-mail eddie@nrahq.org.