Crime & Safety

Free Gun Locks Given Out at Night to Unite Parties Aug. 6

Gun locks will be given out by Hennepin County at several different city Night to Unite/National Night Out parties on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will distribute free gun locks and provide information about responsible gun ownership during National Night Out/Night to Unite Tuesday, Aug. 6. 

The lock is a cable-style device, similar to a bike lock and its design helps to prevent unauthorized access to a firearm, particularly by young children. Most types of firearms must be unloaded before the cable from the lock is installed, providing an extra level of safety. 

The gun locks will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last during several different nearby cities' Night to Unite/National Night Out parties, including: 

• Plymouth Police & Fire Night to Unite Open House from 2:30-5 p.m. at the Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Ave. N. in Plymouth

• Woman’s Club of Minneapolis from 6-9 p.m. 410 Oak Grove in Minneapolis

• National Night Out Gathering from 6-8 p.m. along West River Parkway between Federal Reserve Building and Mississippi River in Minneapolis

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• Sanctuary CDC/Pillsbury United Communities from 5:30-8 p.m. on the 3700 block between Emerson and Fremont in North Minneapolis

• Phillips West Neighborhood 17th Annual 27th Street Block Party from 5:30-8 p.m. between Columbus and Portland Avenues in south Minneapolis 

• Night to Unite hosted by Edina Police from 6-8 p.m. at Rosland Park, 4300 W. 66th Street in Edina

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• Little Earth of United Tribes from 5:30-8 p.m., 2495 18th Ave. S., Minneapolis

"Every responsible gun owner knows that when they are not carrying their firearm, it should be locked and stored. Gun locks are a good way, when a gun is not in a gun locker, to protect public safety and particularly children," said Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman. 

"National Night Out is an opportunity to urge residents to learn about keeping their families safe and this message is important," said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek. "Accidental shootings often result in injury or death and they are entirely preventable when precautions are used for firearm handling and storage."

Urging responsible gun ownership has been a priority for Hennepin County’s top two law enforcement officials. In addition to handing out gun locks at several locations, personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s Office will distribute brochures describing safety information. 

Accidental shootings involving children who have found guns in the home have occurred nationwide and here in Hennepin County. The safety brochures provided to residents will include the following precautions:

• Store firearms in a locked location, unloaded, out of the reach and sight of children;

• Store ammunition in a separate locked location, out of the reach and sight of children;

• Keep the keys and combinations hidden;

• When a gun is not in its lock box, keep it within your sight;

• Make sure all firearms are equipped with effective, child-resistant gun locks;

• If a visitor has a firearm in a backpack, briefcase, handbag or an unlocked car, provide them with a locked place to hold it while they are in your home;

• Don’t leave firearms on a nightstand, table, under a pillow or other place where a child can find it;

• Teach kids never to touch a gun and to immediately tell an adult -- or call 911-- if they find one; 

• Explain to kids that a gun they might see on television or a video game is different from a real gun. A gun, in real life, can really hurt people; 

• Talk to grandparents, neighbors and the parents of friends your children visit about safe gun storage practices. 

(Information provided by a Hennepin County press release.)


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