The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Village of Oak Park to distribute free firearm locks on May 13

May 1, 2023 -- The Village of Oak Park Health and Police departments are teaming up to host a community event this month aimed at helping residents safely store firearms.

Attendees of the giveaway event can receive a free firearm lock from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 in the courtyard at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. No registration is required. The locks will be distributed on a first come, first served basis and be available as supplies last.

Both the Health and Police departments remind residents that safe firearm storage is a simple action a gun owner can take to reduce access to guns among young people, keeping families safe. Safe gun storage is an issue that impacts the entire community and saves lives.

Every year 350 children in the United States under the age of 18 gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. Secure storage plays a crucial role in preventing those shootings.

The lock giveaway is part of the Village’s promotion of firearm safety best practices outlined in the Be SMART campaign. The campaign’s message is: By Securing all firearms, Modeling responsible behavior, Asking about unsecured firearms in friends’ and family members’ homes, Recognizing the role of firearms in suicide and Telling others about these strategies, we can prevent gun deaths and injuries in our community.

For more information about the Oak Park Police Department, visit www.oak-park.us/police, call 708.386.3800 or email police@oak-park.us

For more information about the Oak Park Health Department, visit www.oak-park.us/health, call 708.358.5480 or email health@oak-park.us.