INTEGRATED

STATES UNITED TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE (SUPGV) OPENS GUN STORE IN MANHATTAN TO DEBUNK SAFETY MYTHS

6 out of 10 Americans believe owning a gun makes homes safer. Studies show it actually increases risk of injury and death.

To debunk this misperception, SUPGV, a small, non-profit organization, did the unthinkable… they opened a gun store and invited in first-time gun buyers.

Customers were shocked with unsettling histories behind different firearms, including homicides, suicides and unintentional & mass shootings.

SUPGV captured their stunned reactions via hidden cameras and launched a powerful PSA to inform those interested in purchasing guns for safety of the potential risks and unpredictable outcomes.

Gunswithhistory.com mirrors the experience online, featuring guns’ deadly histories and a risk evaluation tool, showing statistics based on gun buyers' personal data.

SUPGV had $0 for media, so relied on the power of the creative idea to garner consumer and press attention.

AMAZING ENGAGEMENT

During launch week, SUPGV tracked

• 12 million+ views of the online film, driving people to the website

• 65,000+ website visits

• 381,000+ page views

• 3+ minute average time on site

WOWED THE MEDIA

With $0 paid or donated media, SUPGV garnered

• 775+ million impressions

• High-quality coverage in 400+ broadcast, online & print US media outlets

• Additional exposure in 179 countries

GAINED SUPPORT

SUPGV gained new supporters and funding. Indexed versus a typical week, in the 7 days post-launch, SUPGV reported

• A 1,250% increase in gun control petition signatures

• A 1,111% increase in traffic to their organization’s website, ceasefireusa.org

• A 3,000% increase in unsolicited donations

• A 500% increase in Facebook likes

MOST IMPORTANTLY, SUPGV CHANGED MINDS

After learning the tragic histories behind the guns in our store, 80% of customers decided they no longer wish to own a firearm.

IDEA

Guns With History: Debunk the myth that guns make you safer by opening a real and virtual gun store and selling firearms by sharing the histories behind them - the unintended tragedies, including suicides, homicides, unintentional & mass shootings.

We opened a gun store in Manhattan and invited first-time buyers to check it out. The proprietor shocked customers with the unsettling histories behind the firearms, including their use in homicides, suicides, and unintentional and mass shootings. SUPGV captured their stunned reactions via hidden cameras.

The GunsWithHistory.com website mirrors the experience. It features guns used in tragedies and their deadly histories. Gun buyers can also use our risk evaluation tool that analyzes personal data and proves the dangers of owning a gun. Based on their answers, the tool shows terrible gun stories that are related to their lives, proving that the presence of a gun only increases the risk.

AMERICA HAS A GUN PROBLEM.

Every year, 30,000 Americans are killed with guns.

GUN SALES ARE SKYROCKETING. AMERICANS THINK GUNS = SAFETY.

A record-high 63% of Americans believe having a gun in the home makes it a safer place to be.

BUT, STUDIES SHOW THAT MORE GUNS = MORE DEATH.

Research shows that owning a gun actually increases the risk of death & injury.

STATES UNITED TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE (SUPGV) STRIVES TO REDUCE GUN-RELATED DEATH AND INJURY.

For over 15 years, SUPGV, a small, non-profit organization, has worked to make Americans safer through education, advocacy, and legislation. They aim to bring the impact of gun violence to the attention of political leaders, the public and media.

SUPGV’S SPECIFIC GOAL

Get first-time gun buyers who want a gun for “safety” to think twice about the protection it brings by highlighting the potential risks and unpredictable outcomes that can result.