Gun Safety Equipment Giveaway In Federal Way Saturday

ACROSS WASHINGTON - From Seattle Children's Hospital: On Saturday, May 12, Seattle Children’s is partnering with CHI Franciscan St. Francis Hospital, the City of Federal Way and other community organizations to give away 350 free lock boxes and 50 trigger locks to encourage safe firearm storage in homes. The giveaway will take place at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Federal Way (see address below). Supplies are limited and it’s first come, first served. Must be 18 or over to receive a device. One item per person, two per household.

More than 4,500 safe firearm storage devices have been given away during 14 such events since December 2014.

Why: Seattle Children’s, CHI Franciscan Health and the City of Federal Way are raising awareness about the importance and effectiveness of safe firearm storage in the home in order to give parents tools to safely store their firearms, and help prevent firearm-related incidents and suicide among children and teens.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, nearly 40 percent of Washington households have a firearm present. While we know storing firearms locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately, can greatly reduce the risk of injuries and deaths involving children and teens, one in six (35 percent) of homes with children living in them have guns stored loaded and unlocked.

Who: The following spokespeople will be available to discuss the importance of safe firearm storage:

• Dr. Mark Del Beccaro, Chief Medical Officer at Seattle Children’s
• Doug Baxter, Community Integration Program Manager, CHI Franciscan Health

Quote from Doug Baxter, CHI Franciscan:

“Firearm safety is essential to maintaining a healthy environment for families in the community. We are proud to partner with Federal Way, Seattle Children’s and others to educate our St. Francis community and provide families with the tools they need to stay safe and healthy.”

Quote from Dr. Mark Del Beccaro, Seattle Children’s:

“We are excited to partner with area organizations to continue our mission of preventing firearm tragedies. Safe firearm storage can greatly reduce harm caused by firearms and increase safety in our communities.”

Community partners: Seattle Children’s, CHI Franciscan Health St. Francis Hospital, City of Federal Way, Public Health Seattle-King County, Safe Kids Seattle-South King, Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Lok It Up and Sportsman’s Warehouse.

When: Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until supplies run out)

Where: Sportsman’s Warehouse – Federal Way, 1405 S 348th St., Federal Way, WA 98003

Image via Shutterstock / Tippatai Viriyavaree