New Initiative Offers Free Gun Locks To Howard County Residents

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Residents needing a free gun lock can pick one up from two locations in Howard County as part of a county effort to prevent firearm-related suicides and other gun-related tragedies.

The Howard County Health Department, in partnership with the Howard County Library System, Howard County Police Department and the VA Maryland Health Care System, announced the initiative Thursday.

Since mid-May, gun locks have been available at the Elkridge and East Columbia branches of the Howard County Library System. To date, almost 200 gun locks have already been distributed across the county. In addition to suicide prevention, the initiative also seeks to reduce accidental shootings, particularly among children and adolescents who may access unsecured firearms in the home.

Jen Drell, a Howard County resident and library employee, shared that her son would have been 30 years old this year and wonders if he would've made a difference choice if the circumstances were different.

“Offering gun locks is a positive step that may save the life of another mother’s child. That’s why I’m so pleased that the library is partnering with the health department to make these available. Because one life saved not only saves that person, but also their family," Drell said at the news conference.

According to a 2020 study published in JAMA Network Open, delaying access to a firearm during a suicidal crisis can significantly reduce the likelihood of a fatal outcome. Gun locks serve as a critical barrier, creating time and space between a moment of impulse and a tragic decision, officials said at the news conference.

"Firearm-related suicides are a public health crisis—and a preventable one," said Dr. Maura J. Rossman, Howard County health officer, during the news conference. "From 2019 to 2023, over one-third of all suicide deaths in Howard County involved a firearm. We know that securely storing firearms—especially during times of mental health crisis—can save lives. Providing free gun locks is a small but powerful step in protecting our community."

"One suicide is one too many. Unfortunately, fire-arm related suicides account for more than one-third of all suicide deaths in Howard County. However, it has been proven that safe storage of firearms reduces the risk of suicide and unintentional injury," added Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. "I applaud the Howard County Health Department for this safety initiative that will keep all of our residents safer. The use of firearms is a constitutionally protected right that we must respect with common sense approaches like this gun lock program."

Gun Lock Pickup Locations:

• Elkridge Branch Library – 6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075
• East Columbia Branch Library – 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045

For more information on safe firearm storage, suicide prevention resources or mental health support in Howard County, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/health/free-gun-locks.