Many guns are stored unsafely. Locking up firearms can greatly reduce unwanted access and safe lives. The LOK-IT-UP campaign is a public awareness program encouraging the safe storage of firearms.

Why Lock Up Your Firearm?

Why should you buy a device to lock your firearm? Because by locking your gun you can help:

Prevent Children From Being Injured or Killed

Each year, about 11 Washington children are hospitalized and one child dies from unintentional shootings. In addition, each year about 12 Washington children are hospitalized and 21 children die from intentional shootings, including self-inflicted, homicides, and assaults.

Prevent Crimes From Being Committed With Your Gun

Thousands of handguns are stolen each year in the U.S. Many are used to commit other crimes.

Prevent Depressed Teens From Committing Suicide

A recent study of adolescent suicides found that over half were carried out with guns from the adolescent's home.

Keep Children Gun-Free

In 2004, about 3% of Washington students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades - about 7,000 students - reported carrying a gun at least once in the past 30 days.

During the 2005 - 2006 school year, the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction reported 78 incidents involving a firearm on school premises, transportation systems, or school facilities.

Storing firearms safely can reduce the risk of injuries, deaths, and suicides involving children and teens.

Substantial Variations in State rates of Firearms in the Home

Nearly 170,000 children and youth lived in households with loaded and unlocked firearms in 2002, according to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It is important to identify, implement and evaluate effective methods to prevent firearm-related morbidity and mortality – from counseling youth and adults with depressive symptoms, to evaluating firearm safety technologies, to a variety of safe storage options,” the researchers conclude. (Click here to access article.)

Safe Storage of Guns, Ammunition Reduces Risk of Firearm Injury Risk to Youth

Unloading and locking guns and ammunition in separate locations is associated with a significant decrease in firearm injuries in homes with children and teenagers, according to a study by researchers from the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center of the University of Washington. (Click here for more information.)