News Release


*For Immediate Release:*

June 3, 2024

 

*Free Gun Safety Locks Provided by Public Health Available at LA County Libraries*

"Gun Safety Locks Will be Available Free, No Questions Asked, at Five LA County Library Locations"

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention, in collaboration with LA County Library, is distributing 1,000 gun safety locks to the public at five library locations across the County; free, no questions asked.  An LA County Library card is not required to obtain a free gun safety lock.

The hallmarks of safe gun storage are (1) locking the gun, (2) storing the gun unloaded, and (3) storing the gun separate from ammunition. A gun lock, also known as a firearm lock, gun cable lock, or a gun safety lock, is a device designed to prevent unauthorized use of a gun.

The gun locks and gun safety educational materials will be available for free at the following LA County Tool Lending Libraries:


* Compton, 240 W. Compton Blvd, Compton, CA 90220
* Lancaster, 601 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA 93534
* Norwalk, 12350 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
* Rosemead, 8800 Valley Blvd., Rosemead, CA 91770
* San Fernando, 217 N. Maclay Ave., San Fernando, CA 91340 

“The Office of Violence Prevention’s expansion of the gun lock distribution program to the five Tool Lending Libraries is welcome news because gun locks save lives, and gun violence is a distinct American crisis that puts the lives of tens of thousands of men, women, and children at risk every year,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who represents the First District. “About eight in 10 U.S. murders in 2021 involved a firearm, and more than half of all suicides in 2021 involved a gun. The gun lock distribution program is a critical, sensible, proven program that we know will help keep our communities and the people in them safer, and we need to keep expanding this life-saving program into as many communities as we can to help reduce this unacceptable cycle of violence and tragedy.”

“Gun locks can save lives, especially in households with children,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents the Fourth District. “We are using every strategy we can to prevent gun violence including new policies to prevent guns from ending up in the wrong hands, gun buybacks across my district to get guns off the streets, and now expanding where residents can get free gun locks to take home.”

“The simple act of locking and safely storing firearms can prevent a tragedy that far too many families have experienced,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Extending the program to provide free gun safety locks to the public in partnership with LA County libraries expands our efforts to keep families – and especially children - safe from gun violence.” 

"Providing free gun safety locks at our libraries is an important step in ensuring the safety of our community," said LA County Library Director Skye Patrick. "We are proud to partner with Public Health in this crucial initiative. “Our libraries are more than just places for books, they are safe havens for learning and growth. By offering these safety resources, we are taking an active role in protecting our residents and promoting a safer Los Angeles County."

On April 2, 2024, Public Health launched a program to distribute 60,000 free gun safety locks in 2024 to LA County residents. In the initial phase, the locks were made available at six County health facilities and online at lockedandunloaded.org [ [link removed] ].

The locks – along with safe storage educational materials and resources – help to prevent firearm injuries and deaths, including homicides, suicides, and unintentional deaths, as well as helping to deter the theft of firearms. In Los Angeles County, a child is killed or injured by gun violence every 30 hours. In 2022, more than 800 LA County residents lost their lives to gun violence.

To obtain a free gun safety lock online – please visit lockedandunloaded.org [ [link removed] ].

For more information about LA County Library’s gun safety lock distribution as well as other Library resources, visit LACountyLibrary.org/gun-violence-awareness [ [link removed] ].


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*About The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health * 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 4,500 employees and has an annual budget of $1.2 billion. To learn more, visit PublicHealth.LACounty.gov [ [link removed] ], and follow Public Health on social media at twitter.com/LAPublicHealth [ [link removed] ], facebook.com/LAPublicHealth [ [link removed] ], and youtube.com/LAPublicHealth [ [link removed] ]. 

 

*About LA County Library*

Founded in 1912, LA County Library is one of the largest and most innovative library systems in the US. It provides culturally responsive and dynamic collections, programs, and services to meet the literacy, information, personal enrichment, and entertainment needs of all residents across Los Angeles County. Dedicated to reducing barriers and increasing equitable access for all, LA County Library serves 3.4 million residents across 3,000 square miles through its 86 libraries, and mobile fleet of 15 vehicles, including 4 Bookmobiles, 6 MākMō (maker mobiles), 3 early literacy vehicles, and 2 mobile outreach vehicles. To learn more, visit LACountyLibrary.org [ [link removed] ] and follow @LACountyLibrary on Facebook [ [link removed] ], Instagram [ [link removed] ], TikTok [ [link removed] ], X [ [link removed] ], and YouTube [ [link removed] ].

 

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