Who: City of Columbia Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE), Columbia Police Department, Be SMART, community organizations, educators, healthcare professionals, public safety partners, and local leaders.
What: The City of Columbia Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, in partnership with Be SMART, will recognize National SMART Week through a community press conference and panel discussion focused on promoting responsible firearm storage and preventing gun violence.
Held as students return to school, the event will bring together community leaders, educators, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and violence prevention advocates to discuss the importance of secure firearm storage and the role the community plays in preventing unintentional shootings, youth suicide, school shootings, and firearm theft.
SMART stands for:
- Secure all guns in homes and vehicles.
- Model responsible behavior around firearms.
- Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in homes your child visits.
- Recognize the role of firearms in suicide.
- Tell your peers to Be SMART.
The event will feature remarks from community leaders followed by a panel discussion highlighting local efforts, resources, and strategies to create safer communities through education, awareness, and responsible firearm ownership.
When: Monday, August 24, 2026
Press Conference: 10:00 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Immediately following the press conference
Where: Columbia City Hall, City Council Chambers (3rd Floor), 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Members of the public and media are encouraged to attend.
For more information about Be SMART, visit BeSMARTforKids.org. The City of Columbia remains committed to working alongside community partners to reduce gun violence through education, prevention, and collaboration.
For additional information about this event, please contact the City of Columbia Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement at (803) 545-3373.