Free gun locks could save lives
Warren County residents looking to get the most bang for their buck should stop by Warren County Jail or McMinnville Police Department.
The bang comes from free gun trigger locks which are available at both locations. People can pick up one safety lock, or several to fit every gun they own.
The bang for their buck comes from the fact people can leave their wallets at home. The trigger locks are absolutely free whether you take one or 10.
The no-charge trigger locks have been made available to this community through Project ChildSafe, which is a nationwide program. Its purpose is to promote safe firearm handling and storage practices among all firearm owners.
The U.S. Department of Justice oversees Project ChildSafe and has provided $50 million worth of funding. From Maine to the state of Washington, elected officials and police and sheriff departments are eagerly agreeing to participate in Project ChildSafe to raise awareness about safe and responsible firearm ownership.
The Standard is pleased to see our local law enforcement agencies joining in this extremely worthwhile program. Gun ownership is a serious responsibility and it needs to be treated as such – especially when small children are in the home. Few things are more frightening than a toddler stumbling upon a loaded weapon and pulling the trigger.
Fortunately, accidental gun deaths have greatly declined in America, for both adults and children. Much of the credit for this welcome trend is due to a recent emphasis on gun safety education and programs such as Project ChildSafe.
According to figures released by the Department of Justice, accidental firearm deaths decreased every year from 1991 to 1999, with the exception of 1993. In 1991, there were a reported 1,441 accidental gun deaths in this country. In 1999, the number had dropped by 57 percent to 824.
The same decline was seen in children and young adults under 19. Among this age group, there were a reported 551 accidental gun deaths in 1991. That number had dipped to 214 deaths by 1999 – a 39 percent decrease.
Such figures show that programs aimed at promoting gun safety and reducing accidental deaths are working. And while the statistics are certainly encouraging, most people would agree that 214 children dying because of a senseless gun accident is 214 children too many.
That’s why the Standard hopes Project ChildSafe is a permanent part of this community, and we praise our sheriff’s department and police department for taking the initiative to bring such a program here. With free gun locks, there are no more excuses for not storing your firearms safely.
If just one life is saved, it makes the program worthwhile.