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Local law enforcement agencies have been working with Project ChildSafe, which calls itself the largest, most comprehenives firearm safety education program in the U.S.
It was developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry.
The free kits include a cable-style gun-locking device and a brochure that is available in both English and Spanish.
The brochure discusses safe handling and secure storage guidelines that “help deter access by unauthorized individuals.”
According to a 2016 article by ibtimes.com, at least 265 children the previous year had found guns and accidentally shot themselves or someone else. Of those incidents, 83 were fatal, ibtimes.com reported.
Both gun control advocates and gun instructors were calling for more safety training and for parents and others to make bigger efforts to keep guns locked and out of reach, the ibtimes.com article said.
The ibtimes.com piece also cited studies by the San Francisco-based Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence that found close to 1.7 million children live in households where guns are stored loaded, or not properly locked away.
To get one of the free ChildSafe gun locks, stop by the Bedford Police Department and ask at the front desk.
The police station is currently undergoing a renovation. Bedford police are temporarily operating out of Town Hall, 321 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills.
They can be reached by calling (914) 241-3111.
For more information about Project ChildSafe, click here.
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