LEWISTON – The last time police announced they would be handing out free gun locks, so many people wanted them police had to order more.

Good news: More than 100,000 of the locks will be handed out around the state as part of a safety program designed to protect children and others from accidental shootings.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation this year has partnered with the Maine Police Chief’s Association to get the locks distributed.

As part of the national Project ChildSafe initiative, 104,500 free gun locks will be distributed through various police departments around the state.

Locally, organizers of the program will begin making stops at area police stations the morning of Sept. 11. Locks will be handed out at the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office as well as Lisbon, Auburn and Lewiston police departments.

An expansion of a program called Project HomeSafe, Project ChildSafe is funded by a $50 million grant from the Department of Justice. Nearly 20 million free gun locks will be distributed all over the state as part of the program.

Organizers say the plan is to help make homes with firearms safer by raising awareness about responsible firearm ownership and storage. The safety locks are considered an extra precaution to be coupled with education.

The devices are designed to fit around the trigger of a gun, rendering them inoperable without a key.

In 2001, Lewiston police announced that they had free gun locks to give away. Within days, the 75 locks they had on hand had all been given out. More than 100 people called to request the locks so police swiftly ordered 420 more.

Anyone planning to pick up a gun lock should call their local police department for more information.



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