Media

New Sheriff's Office Partnership Will Strengthen Gun Safety Program for Children

Release Date: February 23, 2004

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office, working in partnership with the United States Justice Department's “Project Child Safe” program, will provide gun locks and safety brochures to the community to help prevent deaths and injuries from gun accidents.

“This is another example of the importance of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office forming partnerships with other agencies. It is our hope that no child in Shelby County will be killed or injured as a result of a gun accident,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

“Project Child Safe” is a national initiative sponsored by the Justice Department along with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The foundation received 50 MILLION dollars to provide gun locks and gun safety brochures to government agencies across the United States.

“Because of NSSF's experience and expertise in the areas of firearms safety, we are able to couple our lock giveaway efforts for safety education so parents can understand the importance of keeping guns secure in the home,” said Richard R. Nedelkoff, former director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Department of Justice division overseeing the program.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit, has for years, been teaching gun safety classes to children and their parents. These free gun locks and brochures will enhance the educational effort for neighborhood groups, churches and concerned citizens . Officers from the Sheriff's Office Training Academy Firearms Unit will assist gun owners by installing the locks on the weapons.

“Project Child Safe” representatives will be delivering the gun locks and safety brochures on Tuesday, February 24, 2004, at approximately 10 a.m., to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office Substation at 11670 Memphis Arlington Road in Arlington.

Citizens are encouraged to stop by the substation Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., to pick up the free gun locks and brochures.

Those interested in a gun safety program for their neighborhood association, church or civic club may call the Shelby County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit at 867-1401.

For additional information about the “Project Child Safe” program, view the website at www.projectchildsafe.org.