Free Gun Locks at Henry and Stark County Health Department Locations

As June marks National Safety Month, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare, are providing free gun locks at their offices and clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. This initiative aims to reduce firearm injuries and deaths, as data shows locking both guns and ammunition can dramatically lower risks among children and teens. Health officials report that firearm suicide claims the lives of 64 Americans daily—approximately one every 22 minutes. Securing both firearms and ammunition can dramatically reduce risks: studies show a 78% lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and 85% lower risk of unintentional injuries among children and teens when both are locked. As part of an initiative to treat gun violence as a public health crisis, free gun safety locks are available at Henry and Stark County Health Department offices and First Choice Healthcare clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon, weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM.

“These simple steps can be life saving for the adolescent or adult who reaches for a firearm in an impulsive gesture during a moment of crisis. Or for a school-age child who thinks the firearm is a toy,” said RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion with the Henry and Stark County Health Department.

Tucker adds, “The purpose of this program is to limit young people having easy access to guns.  In addition, this initiative is being used to prevent readily accessible guns being in the hands of the wrong people or individuals in mental crisis.  Therefore, we encourage family members of and those with mental health concerns to take advantage of these free gun locks.”

Free gun locks can now be obtained via the Veterans Crisis Line, a dedicated confidential support resource for veterans available around the clock. Accessing this service is simple: dial 988 and press 1 to speak directly, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255 to connect.