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Data released by the Virginia Department of Taxation reveals that in 2023, 1,905 Virginians utilized a tax credit aimed at helping cover the cost of gun storage devices such as safes and locks. This initiative, passed by the General Assembly in 2023, allows individuals to receive up to $300 off their taxes while purchasing firearm safety equipment. Experts like Lori Haas from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions emphasize the importance of securing firearms to prevent impulsive acts of violence or self-harm. Haas stresses that gun safes and locks can create a barrier between individuals and firearms, allowing time to intervene in potentially dangerous situations. The implementation of these safety measures is especially crucial in preventing tragic occurrences caused by children accessing unsecured firearms, like the incident at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News where a teacher was shot by a six-year-old bringing a gun to school. Haas urges parents to lock up their guns, as children may not fully comprehend the grave consequences of their actions. The tax credit will continue to be available through 2027 in an effort to promote responsible gun ownership and prevent firearm-related accidents and violence.

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