Boulder County DA's Office offers free gun locks and safes in September

The Boulder County District’s Attorney Office is distributing free gun safes and locks Sept. 16 to encourage residents to store their guns safely.

According to a Boulder County Sheriff’s tweet, the gun safes and locks will be available to county residents from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 16 at the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, 5600 Flatiron Parkway.

The 400 safes and locks are funded by state grants, the tweet said. Under Colorado House bill 21-1106, firearms must be responsibly and securely stored when they are not in use to prevent access by juveniles and other unauthorized users.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty pointed to a recent report that said gun-related deaths are now the leading cause of death for young people in the United States — more than cancer, drugs and car crashes.

“Although firearm possession has, unfortunately, been turned into a politically divisive issue, everyone is united in wanting to reduce gun violence and tragic suicides,” Dougherty said. “An important part of that effort involves safe gun storage by responsible gun owners.”

Dougherty said the office has partnered with different groups in passing out gun locks and safes, as well as an event allowing for the return of unwanted guns.

“The DA’s Office is strongly committed to addressing gun violence in Boulder County and throughout Colorado,” Dougherty said. “This office vigorously prosecutes incidents of gun violence, fights for sensible legislative reforms and works with community partners to promote safe gun storage.”

More information on gun violence prevention efforts can be found on the Boulder District Attorney’s website.

The @DABoulder20th is distributing free gun safes and locks to Boulder County residents on September 16 from 11:00-1:00 p.m., at the Sheriff's Office, 5600 Flatiron Pkwy, Boulder. Under CO law, firearms must be responsibly and securely stored when not in use. pic.twitter.com/B9UEBCGR0e

— BoulderCountySheriff (@BldrCOSheriff) August 28, 2023