The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare, are offering free gun locks to residents at locations in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. This move follows a statewide milestone—over 100,000 free gun locks distributed to promote firearm safety in less than a year. Statistics show that locking both firearms and ammunition cuts the risk of firearm injuries among children and teens by up to 85 percent. Anyone can pick up these devices Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. The initiative aims to reduce gun-related injuries and deaths and provide essential support to the community.
“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.
Health officials report that 64 Americans die every day by firearm suicide, underscoring the urgent need for safety measures. Studies show that households locking both firearms and ammunition reduce the risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries by up to 78 percent and unintentional injuries among children and teens by 85 percent. Health Department officials note, “Every Day, 64 Americans die by firearm suicide — one every 22 minutes.”
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.”
Residents can pick up free gun safety locks by stopping by the Henry and Stark County Health Department Offices and First Choice Healthcare clinic locations in Kewanee, 110 N. Burr Blvd.; Colona, 103 1st St.; and Toulon, 120 E. Court St.
For more information on the Health Department’s Tick Collection and Testing or Lyme Disease screening, visit www.henrystarkhealth.org or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.