For the first time in San Benito County, firearm safety locks
are being offered by law enforcement agencies free of charge to gun
owners.
The locks, provided by a nationally funded organization to
protect children from gun-related accidents called Project
ChildSafe, is distributing more than 1.2 million free locks to
every county in California, said spokesperson Sarah Budka.
For the first time in San Benito County, firearm safety locks are being offered by law enforcement agencies free of charge to gun owners.
The locks, provided by a nationally funded organization to protect children from gun-related accidents called Project ChildSafe, is distributing more than 1.2 million free locks to every county in California, said spokesperson Sarah Budka.
“We hope that even if one person gets one and it stops a child from accessing a firearm, then it is a successful program,” Budka said.
San Benito County received 3,200 locks, which were divided between the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department and the Hollister Police Department.
The locks are set out in the lobby of the sheriff’s department as well as the police department, available to anyone and everyone who would like one, said Sheriff Curtis Hill.
“People can just come in and take one,” Hill said. “They can take one or 20, no questions asked.”
Anyone can come in to either department and take a lock without giving their name, phone number or proof of gun registration, Budka said.
“It’s a completely voluntary program. We’re not trying to track firearm owners or put them on a mailing list, it’s just a safety program,” she said.
The locks being distributed are cable locks, which is similar to a padlock with a key that an individual may either keep on their person or hidden somewhere in their home, Budka said.
The braided cable is threaded through the unloaded firearm and locked into place, she said.
“It can’t be installed with ammo in it, so it’s an added safety feature,” Budka said. “Even if the lock is taken off there’s still no bullets in it.”
A manual outlining installation instructions, as well as tips to handling and storing firearms in a safe manner, is available when someone picks up a lock.
While there hasn’t been an accidental death of a child because of a carelessly placed firearm in the county, it doesn’t mean it can’t happen, Hill said.
“The key goal is to make sure a loaded firearm isn’t left around the house,” Hill said. “It’s a tragedy waiting to happen. We haven’t had it here, but we’re not immune. We’re just like every other community.”
Close to 500 law enforcement agencies in California will be receiving locks, Budka said.
The program, which began as a grassroots organization in 1999 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, has grown dramatically over the years.
This year, the program received a $50 million grant from the Department of Justice, which enabled them to distribute nearly 20 million locks to police and sheriff departments throughout the entire country entirely free of charge, Budka said.
“At this point, it’s put us on a higher scale,” she said. “And it really is a big part with law enforcement, especially. The heart and soul of the project is related to law enforcement.”
If either departments’ supply of locks is depleted, additional locks are available, Budka said.
“You’re not limited,” she said. “If the local police or sheriff runs out you can contact your neighboring sheriff department.”
Firearm owners who don’t have children or grandchildren are encouraged to pick up a lock as well, Budka said.
Any person who is unauthorized from accessing a firearm should be kept away, she said.
“Anyone can have an accident, no matter how experienced you are,” she said. “And you never know when a child might be in your home – better safe than sorry.”
The locks come in two standard sizes, small and large, and fit about 95 percent of firearms anyone would have for hunting or shooting sports, Budka said.
Both the police and sheriff department offer both sizes.
Anyone who owns a firearm should take advantage of the program, Hill said. It’s based not on firearm legislation, but simply of keeping kids safe, he said.
“If we can prevent one accident or death then it’s worth it,” Hill said. “That’s the bottom line.”
