Gun lock giveaway goes nationwide
2004-05-06
By Carmel Perez Snyder
The Oklahoman
A gun safety program that started in Oklahoma will provide gun locks to more than 20 million people in the 50 states and four U.S. territories this year, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin said Wednesday.
Fallin, credited with helping launch the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Project Child Safe, said the project will distribute 304,000 free gun locks in Oklahoma this year.
"Since initiating Project Child Safe in Oklahoma, I have found it to be exceedingly effective in protecting children in our state from becoming a victim to senseless firearm accidents," Fallin said.
Oklahoma was the first to conduct a statewide gun lock giveaway. Fallin suggested to program directors that a national effort might be effective.
Dee Dee Dockins, spokeswoman for Project Child Safe, demonstrated how to use the locks on a semiautomatic weapon.
"This is a no-questions-asked program," she said. "Our goal is to educate and save lives. Whether you are a gun owner or not, it's important to teach children about gun safety."
The program drew support from Gov. Brad Henry. He said it promotes sensible gun ownership and "reminds us to keep the safety of our children in mind at all times."
Officials from Project Child Safe, which also includes education about responsible firearm ownership and storage, honored Fallin with an award for her efforts in the program.
The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and other law enforcement agencies have teamed up to get the locks out to Oklahomans.
Oklahoma Chiefs of Police President Jim Cox said officers who investigate accidents involving unintentional injuries caused by guns see firsthand how important education and safety programs can be.
A Project Child Safe bus will travel across the state for the next 17 days distributing the locks.
The locks can be used on handguns, rifles and shotguns.
2004-05-06
By Carmel Perez Snyder
The Oklahoman
A gun safety program that started in Oklahoma will provide gun locks to more than 20 million people in the 50 states and four U.S. territories this year, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin said Wednesday.
Fallin, credited with helping launch the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Project Child Safe, said the project will distribute 304,000 free gun locks in Oklahoma this year.
"Since initiating Project Child Safe in Oklahoma, I have found it to be exceedingly effective in protecting children in our state from becoming a victim to senseless firearm accidents," Fallin said.
Oklahoma was the first to conduct a statewide gun lock giveaway. Fallin suggested to program directors that a national effort might be effective.
Dee Dee Dockins, spokeswoman for Project Child Safe, demonstrated how to use the locks on a semiautomatic weapon.
"This is a no-questions-asked program," she said. "Our goal is to educate and save lives. Whether you are a gun owner or not, it's important to teach children about gun safety."
The program drew support from Gov. Brad Henry. He said it promotes sensible gun ownership and "reminds us to keep the safety of our children in mind at all times."
Officials from Project Child Safe, which also includes education about responsible firearm ownership and storage, honored Fallin with an award for her efforts in the program.
The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and other law enforcement agencies have teamed up to get the locks out to Oklahomans.
Oklahoma Chiefs of Police President Jim Cox said officers who investigate accidents involving unintentional injuries caused by guns see firsthand how important education and safety programs can be.
A Project Child Safe bus will travel across the state for the next 17 days distributing the locks.
The locks can be used on handguns, rifles and shotguns.