MONROE, MI — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement, the D.A.R.E. Board, and superintendents from nine local school districts have announced the official launch of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program in Monroe County schools. This collaborative effort brings a time-tested firearm accident prevention curriculum to classrooms, aiming to equip children with essential safety knowledge in a non-political, age-appropriate format.

Developed by a diverse task force of educators, psychologists, law enforcement officers, and firearm safety experts, the Eddie Eagle program has been promoting gun safety since 1988. The core message is simple and direct: Stop! Don’t touch. Run away. Tell a grown-up. These four steps are designed to teach young children how to respond if they ever encounter an unsecured firearm.

Unlike many programs that delve into political or legal debates surrounding firearms, Eddie Eagle makes no value judgments and does not involve the handling or presence of real firearms. Instead, it treats firearms with the same practical safety awareness as other household hazards like electrical outlets or lighters.

With firearms present in an estimated half of all American households, the program acknowledges an important reality: children are far safer when they are taught how to respond appropriately rather than left uninformed. As the Sheriff’s Office noted in its release, topics like stranger danger, internet safety, and fire drills are routinely addressed in schools — gun safety belongs on that same list.

This local initiative reflects a broader trend across Michigan to support firearm safety education in schools. In December 2025, Michigan passed legislation allowing firearm safety instruction for students in grades 6 through 12. Programs like Eddie Eagle complement those efforts by reaching children at an even younger age with a message focused purely on safety and prevention.

Parents, educators, and community leaders alike should take heart in seeing proactive, non-controversial approaches to keeping kids safe. Monroe County’s decision to introduce Eddie Eagle into its schools is a positive example of how communities can prioritize children’s well-being without igniting political divisions.

Just as adults train in responsible firearm handling and self-defense, children benefit from age-appropriate education that emphasizes awareness and avoidance. Teaching kids how to respond safely to the unexpected can save lives — and that’s a lesson everyone can support.