Free Gun Locks at City Hall April 27th 2018

Free gun locks will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at St. Louis City Hall. The event is sponsored by Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, in partnership with the City of St. Louis, St. Louis City Health Department, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and the Deaconess Foundation.

Nearly 40 percent of homes with children in the United States have a gun; approximately one in three handguns in America is kept loaded and unlocked. Through its “Lock It for Love” project, Women’s Voices has distributed more than 3,000 free gun locks to St. Louis area families.

“We know that most gun owners are responsible,” said Mayor Lyda Krewson. “I support any steps we can take to make it safer to own a gun.”

“It is our responsibility as adults to keep any and all firearms unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition so that the tool that is intended to protect is not the cause of tragedy,” said Renee Manley-Markowski, MD, SLUCare pediatric emergency medicine physician at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

“It’s not enough to tell a toddler not to touch a loaded handgun stored under a bed or in a closet. Ask friends and family about safe gun storage when your child is visiting someone else’s home. Children are curious and there is not always a second chance.”

Contact: Barbara Harris
314.660.5814