NAPD passing out gun locks to local school district residents

The New Albany Police Department is giving local residents an opportunity to take stock of their barrels.

Chief Greg Jones said the department is handing out gun locks free of charge to residents in the New Albany-Plain Local School District.

Those interested can stop by the police headquarters, 50 Village Hall Road, during normal business hours, Jones said.

"We have plenty for what the demand is now and we're ordering more for what the demand might be," he said.

With school shootings topping headlines nationwide, and an incident at New Albany Primary School last year, Joes said the department decided to resume handing out gun locks provided by Project ChildSafe.

"This is really meant to prevent those who weren't meant to have them in their hands, to keep from doing harm," Jones said.

The locking device offers a loop of metal wire that keeps virtually every type of gun from being loaded and fired, according to Jones.

Many other devices can keep guns out of the hands of children and criminals, such as gun safes and electronic locking cases that provide easy access in the event of an emergency, Jones said.

"You can still have a gun for protection and access it if you need it," he said.

In May 2021, a child younger than 10 brought a gun to school to show his friends, according to Jones.

Students immediately told educators and the school resource officers handled the situation, he said.

"It really helped us resolve the situation in minutes. That really helped remind us this thing could happen anytime."

The boy wasn't charged by police, but his mother's boyfriend, the owner of the gun, was charged with having a weapon under disability, endangering children and failing to secure a dangerous ordnance, Jones said.

The move has earned praise from Michael Sawyers, superintendent of NAPLS.

"We value our ongoing partnership with the city of New Albany and the New Albany Police Department, as well as the Plain Township Fire Department and our first responders," Sawyers said.

"Protecting firearms when not in (use) will prevent accidents, theft and misuse," he said. "We are grateful that the police department is offering gun locks to residents as yet another tool to help keep our community, and most importantly, our children, safe.

gseman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekGary

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: NAPD passing out gun locks to local school district residents