Columbus police, nonprofit partners offering free gun locks at summer community events

Jennifer Smola Shaffer, The Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·3 min read
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Columbus police and partner organizations are encouraging the safe storage of guns by offering free gun locks at community events throughout the summer. (Credit: Matt Rourke, AP)
Columbus police and partner organizations are encouraging the safe storage of guns by offering free gun locks at community events throughout the summer. (Credit: Matt Rourke, AP)

Columbus residents will have an opportunity to obtain free gun locks at community events throughout the summer, the Columbus Division of Police and nonprofit partner organizations said Thursday.

The gun locks will be available at Rise Up CBUS events throughout the summer, the groups announced Thursday afternoon at one of the music, food and community events at the First Church of God on the Southeast Side. Organizers expect to have between 50 and 100 locks available at each event, depending on demand.

The free locks come thanks to a partnership between the Columbus Division of Police; Be SMART, a nonprofit which focuses on responsible gun ownership and safe storage of guns; and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

As more guns are being recovered in Columbus, everyone must play a part in making sure guns stay out of the wrong hands, Columbus police Deputy Chief Tim Myers said during a press conference where Mayor Andrew J. Ginther also spoke.

“Part of why we’re here today is because sometimes the wrong hands are very small,” Myers said.

Community leaders pointed to troubling national statistics showing firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. and urged the importance of storing guns safely.

“We've seen report after report of tragic incidents across the country where kids get their hands on guns that adults believe … were stored securely, but they weren’t,” said Deborah Grayson with Be SMART.

“This is a public health crisis, but it doesn’t have to be,” she said.

More: Columbus father pleads guilty in death of 5-year-old who shot herself with unsecured gun

Adults must act responsibly with their firearms, said Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, co-founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children.

"If you had a free way to save a life, if you could be that small portion in saving a life, a child’s life, would you do it?" she said. "I think, collectively, we would say, unequivocally, yes. Well, the city is offering you a free way. NOBLE is offering you a free way”

"There really isn’t any reason you can’t be a small part of this solution," Thomas-St. Clair said. "All you have to do is commit.”

Gun locks will be available at the following Rise Up events through the rest of the summer. Events are held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

  • June 22 at Adams Community Center, 854 Alton Ave.

  • July 13 at Columbia Heights Church, 775 Galloway Road

  • July 27 at Whetstone Park/Community Center, 3923 N. High St.

  • Aug. 5 at Marion Franklin Community Center, 2801 Lockbourne Road (In collaboration with Cap City Experience, event is from 4 to 8 p.m.)

  • Aug. 10 at Cross Creek Park Hilliard, 3342 Hilliard Rome Road

  • Aug. 24 at Central Baptist Church, 1955 Frank Road

  • Sept. 14, at Eastpointe Christian Church, 745 N. Waggoner Road

  • Sept. 28 at Wedgewood Middle School, 3800 Briggs Road

jsmola@dispatch.com

@jennsmola

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police, partner organizations offer free gun locks this summer