A national program promoting firearm safety in the home delivered thousands of free gunlocks to southwest Florida law enforcement agencies this week. Project Child Safe has distributed more than a million gunlocks in Florida since last year. Besides free gunlocks, the program also gives away educational materials. The goal is to remind gun owners to take steps to prevent loaded guns from falling into the hands of children. Spokeswoman - Mary Tougher – says it’s also to prevent tragedies by supplying information.

“The main issue about our program is education…and the goal is to inform all firearm owners on key safety issues. And with that, to provide firearm safety kits that include a gun-locking device. We try to prevent a loaded firearm from getting into the hands of a child to prevent a tragedy. Even if we can save one life our time has been worthwhile.”

Developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation - Project Child Safe is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. The free gunlocks are available at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Fort Myers and Sanibel Police Departments. The gunlocks are cable-style – and normally retail for about $10.