State Police Participate in Free Gun Lock Program


STATEWIDE – In an effort to promote gun safety and proper storage techniques, the West Virginia State Police and Project ChildSafe are teaming up to give away free gunlocks around the state.

Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of key safety education messages and free gun locking devices. Project ChildSafe is an expansion of the Project HomeSafe program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). It is supported by a U.S. Department of Justice grant and is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime to create safer neighborhoods.

Project ChildSafe has allotted the state of West Virginia approximately 232,700 free gunlocks. The gunlocks have been distributed to all law enforcement agencies statewide, which includes every detachment of the West Virginia State Police.

“The combined effort between these two organizations is a great way to promote gun safety and storage to all of the people of West Virginia”, said Colonel Howard E. Hill, Jr., Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police. “I am encouraging citizens who own firearms to stop by your local detachment and pick up a gun lock. Always think safety, especially if there are children present. These gun locks can prevent an accidental discharge, which may mean the difference between life and death.”

The gunlocks are the cable-style lock and come with a safety brochure that covers a variety of options for firearms storage. They will be available at every State Police detachment across the state. They are free of charge, however, certain restrictions on quantity per person may apply.

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