MONROE COUNTY, Mich. — The Monroe County Health Department is offering free gun safety locks for residents with children in their homes to protect them from unintentional firearm injuries.
The cable-style safety locks can be picked up from the health department Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., located at 2353 S. Custer Road while supplies last.
The health department said that Public Act 17, which took effect Feb. 13, 2024, "generally requires individuals to keep stored or unattended firearms unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is known or reasonably should be known that a minor is, or is likely to be, present on the premises."
1,262 children died from unintentional firearm injury between 2003 and 2021 in the U.S., according to the National Violent Death Reporting System. Firearms injuries became the number one cause of death for children in the U.S. and Michigan in 2020.
“We want to make firearm storage as easy and accessible as possible,” Jamie Dean, health officer and director of the Monroe County Health Department said. “Our department is committed to improving the safety and wellbeing of Monroe County children and families and providing gun locks are one way we can make a difference in prevention efforts around firearm safety.”
The health department said the gun safety locks are part of a partnership with Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in an effort to protect children from unsecured firearms.
Residents can also request a free gun lock from their local MDHHS and MSP offices while supplies last, or they can be obtained through Project ChildSafe participating police partners by visiting HERE.