Duncan, Curry Sign Trigger Lock Gun Safety Legislation

mh/gun.pr 97-224 Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6530 or
Reggie Parks, 301-952-4136
DUNCAN, CURRY SIGN
TRIGGER LOCK GUN SAFETY
LEGISLATION For Immediate Release: July 9, 1997

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and Prince George's County
Executive Wayne K. Curry today signed into law two bills that will require gun dealers in
their respective jurisdictions to provide child safety locks with every handgun sold. U.S.
Attorney General Janet Reno, Handgun Control, Inc. Chair Sarah Brady, Maryland Attorney
General Joseph P. Curran and members of both County Councils, joined the two executives in
the signing ceremony held at the Prince George's County Employees Child Care Center in
Upper Marlboro.
"I am very proud that Maryland's two largest counties are leading the way in
protecting children from handgun accidents," said Curry.
"Child safety locks are to handguns whats child safety seats are to motor vehicles,"
said Duncan. "Each is capable of saving lives, but only if they are used and used properly."
The legislation, which was proposed by Duncan and Curry in February, is designed to
help prevent the unintentional discharge and unauthorized use of handguns by children. The
two bills, which differ slightly, were passed by the Montgomery and Prince George's County
Councils on July 1.
Duncan and Curry proposed the legislation after President Clinton indicated in his
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DUNCAN, CURRY SIGN CHILD SAFETY LOCK BILLS 2-2-2-2

State of the Union Address that he would seek federal legislation for mandating trigger locks
for all handgun sales.
"Child safety locks are just plain common sense," said Reno. "We protect children by
having safety locks on aspirin bottles and child safety seats in our cars. We should do
everything we can to protect them from guns."
"Again and again, research tells us that a home without guns is a safer home," said
Brady. "For those Americans who choose to own a handgun, however, every measure that
can be taken to protect our children must be supported. Today's legislation is a welcome
addition to the sensible precautions we must take to live carefully with lethal firearms."
According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, unintentional shootings account for
more than 20 percent of all firearm-related fatalities among children ages 14 and younger. In
that same age group, an estimated 1,500 children nationwide are treated in hospital emergency
rooms for unintentional firearm injuries, with more than 70 percent involving handguns. In
1992, the Maryland General Assembly passed a law requiring gun owners to keep their guns
out of the reach of children. That law, however, does not mandate the sale of child safety
locks.
Child safety locks, which cost less than $12 each, are specially designed safety devices
with a key-operated or combination locking mechanism that completely surrounds the trigger
area. When locked, there is no access to the trigger and the gun cannot be fired.
Montgomery County (120) and Prince George's County (74) have a total of 194
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DUNCAN, CURRY SIGN CHILD SAFETY LOCK BILLS 3-3-3-3

federal licensed dealers. According to Maryland State Police records, 4,587 handguns were
purchased in Montgomery County from October 1, 1995 to October 31, 1996; and 3,231 in
Prince George's County during that same time period.
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