Contact: Donna Bigler, 240-777-6530 (Public Information)
Bill O'Toole, 240-773-5030 (Police Media Services)
Kathy Wood, 240-777-4227 (Safe Kids Coalition)
For Immediate Release: August 15, 2001

County Distributes More than 600
Free Gun Safety Locks at County Fair;
Part of Ongoing Gun Safety Campaign

Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is distributing more than 600 free gun safety locks this week at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, which runs through August 18 in Gaithersburg. The trigger locks are being distributed free of charge from the HHS booth (A15, 16 and 17), located near the Community Square area of the fair. The giveaway is part of the County’s ongoing effort to promote gun safety in the community and to protect children from unintentional firearm injuries and deaths.

"Kids and guns are a dangerous combination, and we're committed to doing everything we can to prevent senseless firearm tragedies from occurring," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "If you own a gun, keep it unloaded, locked up and away from children."

Duncan successfully led an effort in 1997 to enact County legislation requiring gun dealers to provide child safety locks to purchasers of new handguns. Under Maryland State law, handguns must be stored out of reach of children under the age of 16.

Nationwide, on any given day, more than 100 young people under the age of 20 are killed in gun homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings, according to the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control reports that the rate of firearm deaths for children up to the age of 14 is nearly twelve times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined.

"Gun owners have a responsibility to safeguard their weapons in accordance with State and County laws," said Police Chief Charles A. Moose. "Moreover, they have a greater responsibility to protect their children and loved ones from unintentional harm. Acquiring and using gun safety locks will help gun owners accomplish both goals."

Safe Kids Coordinator Kathy Wood of HHS offers these tips for parents and caregivers to keep their homes safe for children:

• Keep guns unloaded and locked up.

• Lock and store bullets separately from the gun.

• Always keep guns away from children.

• Teach children never to touch a gun.

• Always use a child safety lock on firearms.

• Teach children that guns are dangerous.

• Know the state and local gun laws.