Sheriff's Office Promotes 'Lock It For Love' Gun Safety Program

COATESVILLE, PA — On a weekend when love is in the air, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office and Coatesville Center for Community Health are launching a campaign about the care and protection of children.

Chester County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and Coatesville Center for Community Health (CCCH) Lock it for Love initiative sends the message: lock your guns.

From October 2020 to the end of December, the number of background checks for firearm permits in Pennsylvania — which ties closely to the number of gun sales — was the highest on record, Pennsylvania State Police reported in January. Firearm permits in the quarter from July 2020 through September had also broken previous records.

“If families consider the purchase of a weapon as a means to protecting their children, that plan needs to include learning how to use a gun properly and how to store it safely so that curious or depressed children don’t end up harming themselves or others. Safety precautions can prevent a tragedy,” said Chester County Sheriff Fredda Maddox.

Cpl. Christopher Rongaus has worked with the CCSO for 14 years, five of which have been in the firearms unit. He emphasized the importance of training and locks. “When people come in for a License to Carry permit or want to safely store a firearm, gun locks from Project ChildSafe are available free of charge.”

Kathryn Spurlock, executive director of Coatesville Center for Community Health explained, “Particularly as children are spending so much time inside the home during the pandemic and cold winter months, and adults’ attention is divided between work and parenting, putting a lock on a gun can mean the difference between life and death.”

Free gun locks are available while supplies last for pick up at the Chester County Sheriff’s Office main desk in the Justice Center and through Coatesville Center for Community Health at 1001 E. Lincoln Highway by calling 619-344-5370 x114. The sheriff's office is also offering free online gun lock/safety programs. Call 344-6850 to schedule a program for your group.

Safety tips include:

• Lock your guns.
• Ask if there are unlocked guns where your child will visit, play or babysit.
• Talk to your children. Tell them if they find a gun, stay away.

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