Exploring Hollywood's Latest Initiative to Promote Gun Safety

After a long and tiring shift, an elite police tactical officer returns home. He sits down with his wife to talk about their day, with the officer sharing a heart-pounding story of saving a woman and her child.

Before settling in, officer Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson has an important stop to make. He heads to the bedroom closet, takes out his semi-automatic service weapon, and securely locks it away in his gun safe.

This scene on the hit CBS show "S.W.A.T." is more than just a quick break from the action. It is the deliberate outcome of a collaboration between Hollywood and safety advocates to prevent gun violence and save lives in a time where such incidents seem never-ending.

Actor Shemar Moore, known for his role as Hondo, describes his character as a tough guy who takes down bad guys on screen. However, when he comes home, he emphasizes the importance of gun safety by owning a firearm that is securely stored.

The campaign "Show Gun Safety," initiated by the advocacy group Brady United, has successfully utilized the entertainment industry to promote safe practices. This campaign has now forged partnerships with various television studios nationwide.

"We lose eight children every day in the United States due to family fire," said Kris Brown, president of Brady United, in an interview with CNN. She described this as a uniquely American epidemic caused by improperly stored firearms in households.

Last year, a White House roundtable was organized by the group with actors and writers, which included “S.W.A.T.” showrunner Andrew Dettmann.

During a recent visit to the Sony Pictures set where “S.W.A.T.” is filmed, Dettmann told CNN that what really resonated with him was the discussion about guns becoming the leading cause of death for children.

Encouraging the safe storage of firearms shouldn’t be controversial at all, according to Dettmann. He mentioned that even though gun policies can be politically divisive, the focus on proper gun safety is separate from the larger debate on guns. The show's audience consists of individuals from various political backgrounds. Dettmann believes that showcasing guns being securely stored on the drama can influence viewer behavior and help prevent gun accidents.

“Stow it safely, don’t leave it out in the house, and if they see their favorite characters doing it on a regular basis, maybe that influences them some way.”

Shemar Moore as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson in "S.W.A.T."

Shemar Moore as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson in "S.W.A.T."

Bill Inoshita/Sony Pictures Television/CBS

The impact of Hollywood is supported by research conducted by academic experts.

According to Brad Bushman, a Communication Professor at The Ohio State University, people are influenced by media characters who they find cool and aspire to emulate. He has researched how observing safe gun practices can affect behavior. Bushman explains that when individuals see their favorite character using guns safely, they tend to mimic that behavior as a script for their own actions.

Viewers of the show "S.W.A.T." tend to remember and mimic the behaviors they see on screen, according to Bushman. This means that when faced with a similar situation as an actor on the show, viewers may act in a similar way.

The production team behind "S.W.A.T." has taken steps to promote safety by including scenes that emphasize proper gun storage in their scripts. Additionally, they have made a conscious effort to reduce the amount of gunfire depicted in the show.

Dettmann suggested that instead of a continuous barrage of gunfire, the director could consider just a few shots to avoid unnecessary violence without repercussions.

Christian Heyne, the chief policy officer of Brady United, emphasized the importance of normalizing positive behavior in all aspects, sharing his personal experience as a survivor of gun violence whose mother was tragically killed in 2005.

Heyne is optimistic about the success of the organization's "Show Gun Safety" campaign, drawing parallels to past collaborations with Hollywood to discourage smoking and encourage safe driving.

According to Heyne, just like how characters in movies and TV always buckle up when getting into a car, we should also aim for a similar approach towards gun violence. By influencing both culture and policy in Hollywood, we can effectively reduce the number of gun-related deaths.

Back on the set of "S.W.A.T.," Moore had just finished filming a scene. The father of a young daughter both on and off screen, and a gun owner himself, took a moment to talk about the impact of his role on the show.

He expressed, "If people are going to watch me and listen to me, and I know that by my actions - by how I carry myself - someone could emulate that, that's a big responsibility." Moore emphasized the importance of adults and parents being extra vigilant and cautious in their behaviors.

Editor's P/S:

The "Show Gun Safety" campaign is a commendable initiative that harnesses the power of entertainment to promote responsible gun ownership and reduce gun violence. By incorporating scenes that emphasize proper gun storage into popular TV shows like "S.W.A.T.," the campaign effectively raises awareness and influences viewer behavior. Research suggests that observing safe gun practices on screen can lead to positive behavioral changes, as viewers tend to emulate the actions of characters they admire.

This approach extends beyond entertainment, as the campaign also encourages collaboration between Hollywood and policy makers to create a safer environment. By normalizing responsible gun ownership and storage, we can reduce the number of gun-related accidents and fatalities. The campaign's success is evident in its impact on shows like "S.W.A.T.," where the production team has made conscious efforts to reduce gunfire and promote safe gun handling. By continuing to integrate gun safety messages into popular culture, we can create a positive shift in attitudes and behaviors, ultimately contributing to a safer society.