Secure firearm storage means all weapons are locked and unloaded

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Any adult can pick up a free gun lock – no questions asked – at any Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library branch

Anna Albi
| Opinion Contributor

The City of Cincinnati and the U.S. Surgeon General have both declared gun violence a public health crisis. Nearly every day, we wake up to news of a recent shooting in the city, state, and country—each shooting leaving deep trauma for those affected and for the entire community.

And while mass shootings and homicides tend to grab headlines, many facets of the gun violence crisis often go unnoticed, including gun suicides and unintentional shootings by children.

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In the United States, 4.6 million households own at least one loaded, unlocked gun. That’s 4.6 million at risk for tragedy. In fact, having access to a gun triples the likelihood of suicide, and gun suicides account for nearly two-thirds of gun deaths.

We’ve seen the impact of these incidents at the local level. Research conducted for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital found that the rate of firearm suicide among children has increased by 90 percent over the past decade. Additionally, we’ve seen several unintentional shootings by children in the Cincinnati area, including a recent incident in which a seven-year-old boy from Springfield Township shot himself in the head.

Safe and secure firearm storage is essential to preventing these tragedies. Responsible gun ownership means locking up your firearms, especially when children are around or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues. Safe gun storage means all firearms are locked and unloaded, and ammunition is stored separately.

I am proud that my office has partnered with the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, the Cincinnati Police Department, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office to offer free gun locks at all libraries, both within the city limits and throughout the county. Any adult can pick up a free gun lock, no questions asked, at any library branch.

More: Despite two mass shootings, fewer people have been shot in Cincinnati this year

In addition to picking up a free gun lock at the library, we encourage all gun owners to be SMART:

  • Secure all weapons in your homes and vehicles;
  • Model responsible behavior around firearms;
  • Ask about unsecured guns in other homes;
  • Recognize the role of firearms in suicide; and
  • Say others to be SMART.

Anna Albi is a member of the Cincinnati City Council.