Many guns are stored unsafely. Locking up firearms can greatly reduce unwanted access and safe lives. LOK-IT-UP encourages 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

From 2003 to 2007, 63 Washington children (age 17 or younger) were hospitalized and 7 children died from unintentional shootings. In addition, 82 children were hospitalized and 91 children died 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 study of adolescent suicides found that over half were carried out with guns from the adolescent's home.

Keep Children Gun-Free

In Washington in 2008, almost 16% of 8th grade students, almost 21% of 10th grade students  and 24% of 12th grade students reported it was “sort of easy” or “very easy” to get a handgun.

During the 2007 - 2008 school year, the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction reported 74 incidents involving a firearm on school premises, transportation systems, or school facilities.

Storing firearms locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately, 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

The safe storage of firearms 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.)