IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gun locks provide extra safety
measure
Linton Police help
keep community safe
By Andrea McCann, staff
writer
The Linton
Police Department gave away about 250 gun locks through the Project ChildSafe program Wednesday afternoon outside
The
stainless steel cable gun locks aren't available through retail establishments,
according to Gil Kalbus, a Project ChildSafe representative and retired
"They
work on any kind of gun," Kalbus added.
He explained
that safety is a big priority for NSSF, so they conduct seminars and have a Web
site with firearms safety information.
"I
can't say enough about them," Kalbus said.
"They're dedicated to people's safety."
The goal of
Project ChildSafe is to prevent firearms accidents in
the home. According to a Project ChildSafe news
release, accidents often happen when an unauthorized person, especially a
child, finds a loaded and unsecured firearm in the home. By providing the free
gun locks and educational material about firearms safety, NSSF hopes to reduce
unintentional injuries and deaths.
"I
would say this program has gone over super," Kalbus
said. "It's been very well received. It's not pro- or
anti-anything. It's a safety thing. All over the country, the reactions
are great."
To cover the
country, though, Kalbus said a partnership with law
enforcement is necessary. He said local law enforcement departments get the
message out.
"Law
enforcement makes the program work," he said.
LPD Chief
Keith McDonald was present Wednesday to help Kalbus
give away the gun locks. He said a mixture of people had picked up free locks.
"It's
not been any particular cross section," he said. "People see them and
know it's a good thing."
Bob Brown of
Linton and his 20-month-old grandson, Max Buskirk,
were among the Wal-Mart customers who picked up locks on the way out of the
store. Brown said Buskirk is at his house daily, so
the locks were a safety precaution in case the youngster gets curious.
Janice
Hamilton, Jasonville, and her adopted granddaughter Shameah
Hubbell, Worthington, also got gun locks. Although Hubbell said she'd never
play with a gun,
"My
husband has guns,"
Jeremiah and
Melissa Lemmons have a 2-year-old, so Jeremiah was
picking up locks for the extra protection, as well.
"The
guns are in a safe, but to me, it's good to double up with the locks," he
said. "It's great that they're doing this."
Hunters also
took advantage of the free gun locks.
Adah Glenn of
Lyons, hunts with her grandson, Tyler Mullis of Lyons, and wanted locks for the
two of them. And, Ron Stahl grabbed a lock so he can use it when he transports
his gun on his four-wheeler.
Residents
who'd like a gun lock and didn't see the give-away at Wal-Mart Wednesday can
pick one up at any time, McDonald said.
"We'll
have them at the police department all summer," he said, adding that
anyone who gets a gun permit through the LPD gets a lock with it.
McDonald
said the department averages about 100 gun permits per year. But, he added,
those are just for people who want to carry their weapons. There are many other
gun owners who have their firearms at home and don't carry them, he said. The
chief recalled a report that described a "staggering" percentage of
people in southern
"It's a
fact of life that people are gonna have guns in this
country," Kalbus said.
Kalbus also gave
away locks in Jasonville,
Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program that promotes firearms
handling and storage safety. It's supported by a Department of Justice grant
and NSSF. The program is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods.
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