On the one-year anniversary of Michigan’s secure storage law individuals are being reminded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan State Police (MSP) that free gun locks are available at MDHHS county offices and some local health departments.

The law went into effect Feb. 13, 2024 and since then more than 56,800 free gun locks have been distributed.

“Everyone in Michigan deserves to feel safe, whether they’re at home, work, school, or out in the community,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, in a news release. “Governor Whitmer and I are proud of our work to address the root causes of gun violence through community violence intervention programs and historic legislation. I applaud the work that’s been done to provide free gun locks at MDHHS county offices and local health departments. They’ll help more Michiganders securely store their guns and save lives. Let’s keep working together to reduce gun violence, keep families and kids safe.”

As outlined by Public Act 17 of 2023 individuals must keep stored or unattended firearms unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.

The MSP has used $500,000 in state funding appropriated in the FY24 MSP budget to purchase thousands of cable-style gun locks from Project ChildSafe and have been offering them to the public since last summer.

“Ensuring Michigan families have the tools to safely store firearms is critical to protecting children and family members from firearm violence,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Free gun locks are still available at our local offices, and we will continue to remind residents of this vital resource as long as supplies last. Safe firearm storage saves lives, and we urge all Michigan residents to take this important step to protect their loved ones.”

According to the state, firearm injuries became the number one cause of death for children in the United States in 2020, surpassing motor vehicle deaths and those caused by other injuries. The same was true for Michigan children and adolescents between one to 19 years of age where nearly 1,500 Michigan residents die each year due to firearm injuries, while another 2,900 suffer serious non-fatal firearm injuries.

MSP Col. James Grady II said gun owners play an important role in helping to prevent firearm injuries and death by ensuring minors don’t have access to firearms.

“The solution is simple,” Grady said. “Obtain and use a gun lock. Even though we have distributed tens of thousands of free gun locks in the last year, we continue to urge all gun owners to obtain a lock and safely secure firearms.”

Free gun locks can be obtained through Project ChildSafe police partners across the state. In Macomb County these police departments include: Center Line, Clinton Township, New Baltimore, Shelby, Warren and the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. Gun lock installation instructions are included within the product’s packaging and available on the Project ChildSafe website.

For more information about Michigan’s Secure Storage Law, visit Michigan.gov/secure-storage-law.