The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) announced today that Safari Club International (SCI), the nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and the protection of hunters’ rights, will join forces with NSSF’s Project ChildSafe to emphasize the importance of responsible firearm storage.

In addition to SCI, the two other branches of the organization have joined in the Project ChildSafe partnership, including Safari Club International Foundation, which supports worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation and outdoor education, and Safari Club International Foundation Sables, which promotes understanding of the outdoor heritage, including the positive role of hunting, through the creation and support of wildlife and conservation educational programs.

As a first step, the organizations will work together to remind Americans to “Hunt S.A.F.E.” this hunting season. Project ChildSafe’s Hunt S.A.F.E. campaign urges hunters and all firearm owners to Secure your firearms when not in use; be Aware of those around you who are not authorized to have access to guns; Focus on your responsibility as a firearm owner; and Educate yourself and others about safe firearm handling and storage.

“NSSF and Project ChildSafe are pleased to partner with SCI, which has a long and successful history of educating hunters, and anyone with a keen interest in the outdoors, all over the world,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. “SCI is well positioned to spread the Hunt S.A.F.E. message, which serves as a strong reminder that the hunt isn’t over until firearms are properly stored when not in use, thereby helping to prevent firearm accidents, theft and misuse.”

To support the program, SCI will distribute Project ChildSafe’s Hunt S.A.F.E. materials, including tips, videos, social media tools and other resources on safe firearm handling and storage, to its more than 55,000 members.

“Our steadfast commitment to serving hunters and providing education about the outdoors includes emphasizing the importance of firearm safety,” said Phil DeLone of Safari Club International. “There are several steps hunters, and anyone who owns a firearm, should take to make sure firearms are responsibly used and stored. We look forward continuing to advance this message by providing Project ChildSafe resources to our members across the globe.”

Through partnerships with more than 15,000 local law enforcement agencies and more than 3,400 organizational supporters throughout the United States, including SCI, Project ChildSafe has helped educate firearm owners on the importance of gun safety, while distributing more than 37 million free firearm safety kits to communities in all 50 states and the five U.S. territories.