Gun Locks Offered to Hennepin County Residents During National Night Out

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will distribute free gun locks and provide information about responsible gun ownership during National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

The lock is a cable-style device, similar to a bike lock and its design helps to prevent unauthorized access to a firearm, particularly by young children. 

“National Night Out is an opportunity to urge residents to learn about keeping their families safe and this message is important,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, “Accidental shootings often result in injury or death and they are entirely preventable when precautions are used for firearm handling and storage.”

In addition to handing out gun locks at several locations, personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s Office will distribute brochures describing safety information.

The gun locks will be provided while supplies last. Those who request locks will not be asked for names or information.

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and personnel will be handing out the gun locks while supplies last at locations that include;

Brooklyn Center Kick-Off Party, 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, 6p.m.-8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 5 

The following are scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 6

Plymouth Police & Fire Night to Unite Open House, 14800 34th Ave. N., Plymouth, 2:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.

Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove, Minneapolis, 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.

National Night Out Gathering, along West River Parkway between Federal Reserve Building & Mississippi River, Minneapolis, 6 p.m-8 p.m.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office employees and officials will be handing out the gun locks while supplies last at locations that include:

Sanctuary CDC/Pillsbury United Communities, 3700 Block between Emerson and Fremont in North Minneapolis, 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Phillips West Neighborhood 17th Annual 27th Street Block Party, between Columbus and Portland Avenues, South Minneapolis, 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. 

Night to Unite hosted by Edina Police, Rosland Park, 4300 W. 66th Street, Edina, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Little Earth of United Tribes, 2495 18th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m.

The safety brochures provided to residents will include the following precautions:

• Store firearms in a locked location, unloaded, out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store ammunition in a separate locked location, out of the reach and sight of children.
• Keep the keys and combinations hidden.
• When a gun is not in its lock box, keep it within your sight.
• Make sure all firearms are equipped with effective, child-resistant gun locks.
• If a visitor has a firearm in a backpack, briefcase, handbag or an unlocked car, provide them with a locked place to hold it while they are in your home.
• Don’t leave firearms on a nightstand, table, under a pillow or other place where a child can find it.
• Teach kids never to touch a gun and to immediately tell an adult -- or call 911-- if they find one.
• Explain to kids that a gun they might see on television or a video game is different from a real gun. A gun, in real life, can really hurt people.
• Talk to grandparents, neighbors and the parents of friends your children visit about safe gun storage practices.