News Article

Archived News Release: July 20, 2014 - Ann Arbor is joining forces with other law enforcement agencies in Washtenaw County to help make our residents safer by observing Gun Safety Week July 20-26, 2014. Gun Safety Week is intended to educate and raise awareness about issues related to gun safety and encourage responsible gun ownership.

The Ann Arbor Police Department will give away free gun locks to the public Sunday, July 20-Saturday, July 26, *while supplies last. Residents can visit the police front desk at anytime during the week, on the second floor of the Ann Arbor Justice Center, the building adjacent to Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. The Ann Arbor Police front desk will also have information about gun safety and how residents can help keep themselves and their families safe. 

The following are important gun safety guidelines (source: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services):

• Store firearms unloaded and locked.
• Use a firearm safe, locked box, trigger or chamber lock to store firearms.
• Store and lock ammunition in a separate place.
• Remove firearms from your home if you have a depressed or suicidal family member.
• Ask family and friends to use these safe storage steps.
• Before you send your child to someone's house, ask if firearms in the home are stored unloaded and locked. Ask if the ammunition is stored separately. Ask about shotguns and rifles too, not just handguns.
• If you have doubts about the safety of someone else's home, invite the children to play at your home instead.
• Present your concerns with respect.
• Talk with your children about the risk of firearm injury in places they may visit or play.
• Teach your child if she finds a firearm to leave it alone and let an adult know right away.

A resolution will go before Ann Arbor City Council Monday, July 21 for consideration to endorse Ann Arbor’s participation in Gun Safety Week in Washtenaw County the week of July 20-26.