Baltimore County Police Start to Issue Free Gun Locks

Baltimore County police announced a free gun safety lock program today in response to a gun incident at Deer Park Middle School yesterday, the third in the county this school year. They said they hope the free gun-lock give-away will lead to fewer intentional and non-intentional shootings. Two 12-year-olds were charged with handgun violations in the Deer Park incident. County police said one of the students allegedly took his care giver’s gun with plans of trading it with the other student for an X-Box. WYPR’s Gwendolyn Glenn has more.

Gwendolyn Glenn

According  to police officials, the Deerpark student  had shown gun ammunition to another student, who reported the incident to school officials. County police Chief Jim Johnson says when questioned, the student led police to a nearby wooded area, where he had hidden the gun.

Chief Jim Johnson

We understand that there was no intent to bring that weapon to school to cause anyone harm.

GLENN

Johnson says this gun had a safety lock, as required by law in homes with minors. Because many accidents occur when guns are not secured with locks or in safes, county officials are offering residents free gun locks. 

JOHNSON 

Those locks will be available to our citizens within the next 48 hours. We’re giving a maximum of three to each family. We’re not recording who we give the locks to but they have to show that they are a resident of Baltimore County.

Glenn

Gun licenses will not be asked for when picking up the locks, which will fit most guns.  I’m Gwendolyn Glenn reporting in Baltimore for 88 1, WYPR.