City of St. Louis Urges Residents to Utilize “Lock It For Love” Gun Lock Program at St. Louis Fire Engine Houses, Select Public Library Branches, Area SLMPD Stations

Following the tragic shootings of multiple children in the past week - with last night’s shooting being investigated as an accidental shooting - St. Louis City leaders are urging residents to utilize the city’s free “Lock It for Love” gun lock program to help keep kids safe. Locks can be picked up free of charge at participating fire engine houses, library branches, and area St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department stations. Gun owners are advised to store their firearms in places not able to be located by children or other persons in the home. The firearm should be locked and unloaded with ammunition stored away from said firearm.

“As a mom, I know how important it is that we take every step we can to keep our babies safe,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “These recent shootings have devastated our entire city, and we need to take immediate action to protect our children. If you have a gun in the house, be a responsible gun owner; store firearms locked and unloaded and pick up a free gun lock to help you and your loved ones safe. My administration is exploring ways to continue connecting parents to these critical resources.”

The St. Louis Fire Department distributes free gun locks at 30 fire engine houses across the city. Firehouses are open 24 hours a day. For questions, call 314-533-3406. Locks are also offered at specific St. Louis Public Library branches: Baden, Julia Davis, Divoll and Cabanne. SLMPD has 4,500 locks to distribute through responding officers and community meetings, and locks can be picked up at area stations. The department has also helped create a video tutorial on how to use a gun lock on a firearm.

“Gun locks save lives, and the St. Louis Fire Department is always ready to connect St. Louisans to tools like these to keep families safe,” said St. Louis Fire Department Chief Dennis Jenkerson. “Visit a fire engine house and pick up your gun lock; we’re more than willing to help.”

The Lock It For Love program is run in partnership with Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice. The group focuses on violence prevention, health care, and other issues through education and advocacy and has distributed 8,000 gun locks to date through the program.