Superstitions Concept

The Problem

Two-thirds of all gun deaths in the United States are from suicides, not homicide. Research from Harvard Injury Control Research Center’s Means Matter project shows that people who die from suicide are more likely to live in homes with guns than people who attempted suicide, and states with higher rates of gun ownership have higher rates of gun suicide.

Despite this research, more Americans than ever believe that guns in the home make them safer — with the most drastic increase in young people under thirty, from 27% in 2000 to 70% in 2014.

The Campaign

The chances of stepping on a crack and actually breaking your mother’s back are pretty close to, if not, 0%. We could say the same about walking under ladders, cracking mirrors, the presence of black cats, and even the number thirteen. Why do we choose to believe what we believe — irrational and supernatural, or otherwise? What other things might we be choosing to believe?

THE ACTION

Merging two common superstitions: the ‘lucky penny’ and the omen that ‘bad things come in threes,' we're asking you to give a card to a friend that has three pennies on it: two tails up, and one heads up. These can be printed templates that we provide for you, or could be cards you make with actual pennies adhered to them. A sample of what the language on the card could say is:

More than luck, I want you to be safe. A common misconception is that guns keep people safe. But, if you want to talk about bad things coming in threes? Well, 2 out of 3 gun deaths is by suicide.

You'll start a conversation about guns and suicide by giving your friend this card and we'll provide discussion guides to ensure you have the information you need to talk with your peers, of all backgrounds and mindsets, about gun safety practices. In sharing this information, we'd encourage you to ask your peers (and parents!) to commit to safe storage of guns — or to simply raise their hand for a gun-free home.

WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED?

To raise awareness about this incredibly important issue, scatter pennies in groups of three across college campuses with cards that read:

Which is truer? That bad things come in threes or that pennies bring good luck? For the answer, text PENNY to 38383.