Manitou Springs Police Department offering free handgun locks

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Gun owners can pick up a free gun lock from the Manitou Springs Police Department this week, while supplies last.

The department says they are giving out the locks on a first come, first served basis. They will not hold any locks. Residents can pick up a lock at the police department window, located at 606 Manitou Ave. They can also call (719)685-5407 for more information.

The department says one of their main focuses is child safety, especially as kids are about to be out of school for the summer.

A 2023 report from the Children's Hospital Colorado says that firearms have resulted in more deaths for Colorado children than car accidents have in recent years.

Non-fatal gun injuries for kids under the age of 10 are primarily unintentional, according to the data.

Here in El Paso County, a 4-year-old shot themself after getting ahold of a loaded gun a few years ago. Similar cases have cropped up nationwide, including a recent incident where a Florida 4-year-old recently shot themself.

As children grow up, it becomes more common that injuries or deaths are the result of assault or suicide. However, they are still significantly unintentional across the board. Data shows that from 2018 to 2022, 52.4% of firearm deaths or injuries in Colorado kids were unintentional. The report shows the other 31.4% were due to assault, and 11% were due to suicide.

Studies have shown that safe gun storage can significantly decrease the risk to children. Researchers at Johns Hopkins estimate 4.6 million minors in the U.S live in a home with at least one gun that is loaded and unlocked.

“Secure firearm storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents and unauthorized access,” said Police Chief Bill Otto in a release. “Providing free locks is a simple but important step to help protect our residents.”