Program helps children stay safe from firearms
The Grovetown Department of Public Safety is taking the initiative on gun safety and storage by participating in the National Shooting Sport Foundation's Project ChildSafe.
"It is one of those preventive measures, one of those proactive situations," said Capt. Gary Owens. "We sure like to be more proactive instead of reactive."
The NSSF has delivered millions of gun safety kits nationwide and delivered 500 to the Grovetown department two weeks ago after applying to be a part of Project ChildSafe. The program's goal is to promote fire safety education to gun owners.
Owens sees the program as a way to help keep children safer in homes with firearms by providing gun owners a safer way to store them mainly to help protect children and teens from hurting themselves or anyone else with an unlocked firearm, Owens said.
The free safety kits include firearm safety information and a cable gun lock, which will fit most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns. When installed correctly, the lock prevents gun parts from moving into place to fire, Owens said.
"We will assist them in putting them on, demonstrate for them, whatever it takes," Owens said. "There is a picture on each one showing how to do it."
Each kit comes with very clear instructions with photos to ensure proper installation of the locks.
The kits are free and are available at the department located at 306 E. Robinson Ave., Grovetown. For more information, call 863-1212.