Need A Gun Safe? Long Beach Is Giving Them Out For Free

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach officials will be giving out 200 gun safes for free next week to promote violence prevention and community safety.

The safes will be issued, no questions asked, at six Long Beach parks and a health department location in North Long Beach starting April 28, city officials announced Monday.

The event aims to emphasize the importance of following gun safety guidelines in the home, as firearms remain the leading cause of death among children in the United States.

"Data show that nearly 4.6 million American children live in homes with unlocked and loaded guns," Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. "Safe firearm storage plays a critical role in preventing firearm injuries and death.”

The gun safes, which will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, weigh about 10 pounds and can fit two handguns, according to city officials.

They will be available at the following locations:

• Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.), weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
• Cesar E. Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Coolidge Park (352 E Neece St.), weekdays 3 to 10 p.m.
• Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• MacArthur Park (1321 E Anaheim St.), weekdays 3 to 6 p.m.
• Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.) weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
• Ron Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.), Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Firearms are prohibited at the event and anyone looking to receive a free safe should not bring any weapons with them, city officials said.

Funding for the project comes from a one-time $35,000 fund approved by the Long Beach City Council to help in the health department's violence prevention strategy.