Kennedy Krieger Institute is offering free gun locks to patient families, staff and community members. The Institute received grant funding from the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy to purchase 800 locks for this campaign.
Our Goal
Through the safe storage distribution campaign, Kennedy Krieger is hoping to have an impact on the high number of pediatric gun deaths and injuries. Since 2020, gun violence has been the number one cause of death among children in the United States under the age of 18, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, firearm purchases in the U.S. increased. As a result, there are now 30 million children in the nation living in a household with a purchased firearm, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. At the same time, Kennedy Krieger’s clinicians began seeing more patients with gun-related injuries, which motivated them to consider ways to reduce gun violence risks for children.
Unlocked guns increase the risk of both unintentional gun injuries and intentional shootings. By safely securing their guns and keeping them away from children, gun owners can use a proven strategy to improve safety and reduce harm.