Hermosa Beach Police Department Provides Free Gun Locks

Press release from the City of Hermosa Beach:

May 4, 2021

Offered in Conjunction with Project ChildSafe, a National Program to Ensure Safe Firearm Ownership

HERMOSA BEACH – As the Hermosa Beach City Council launches consideration of an ordinance that would require safe storage of firearms in residences, the Hermosa Beach Police Department (HBPD) wanted to remind the public that it provides gun locks free of charge at the Police Station located at 540 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach.

The HBPD has long had a partnership with Project ChildSafe, a program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation that promotes firearm safety and education, to provide free cable-style gun locks that run through the barrel or action of a firearm to prevent it being fired accidentally. The locks require a key or combination to open them.

“Gun accidents are a leading cause of injury and death to children, and these accidents are preventable by using the gun locks or storing handguns, rifles and shotguns in locked safes or cabinets,” said Police Chief Paul LeBaron. “We encourage owners of firearms to store and use them responsibly to protect themselves, their loved ones and the community.”

The Hermosa Beach City Council has scheduled a public hearing on May 13 on the proposed ordinance that would require firearm owners to store their firearms in their residences in a locked container or disable their firearms with a gun lock.

City Staff have reported on research that found an estimated 4.6 million American children live in homes with at least one gun that is loaded and unlocked. According to national data, children and young adults ages 24 and younger constitute 38% of all firearm deaths and non-fatal injuries.

City Staff also reported that more than 75% of guns used in suicide attempts and unintentional injuries of children and young adults up to age 19 were stored in the residence of the victim, a relative or a friend. An estimated 89% of accidental shooting deaths among children occur in the home, and most of these deaths occur when children are playing with an unsecured loaded gun in their parents’ absence.

For more information about obtaining free gun locks, please contact the Hermosa Beach Police Station at (310) 318-0360.

This press release was produced by the City of Hermosa Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.