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In an effort to properly address gun violence in the Houston area, local leaders have purchased around 1,000 gun safes to give away to residents free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, according to reports from Houston-based media outlets.
The announcement coincided with the launch of a new gun safety billboard campaign on Thursday, Houston FOX affiliate KRIV reported.
Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that the Harris County District Attorney’s (DA) Office teamed up with community and faith leaders to spearhead the initiative.
Per the station, DA Kim Ogg cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) finding that gun violence amounted to the leading cause of death among children under the age of 18 last year.
Ogg, a Democrat, added that as of Thursday, over 60 people in Harris County were killed in fatal shootings since the start of this year, according to KHOU.
She explained that it’s been easier for even kids of preschool age to get a hold of a firearm.
"Younger and younger children with access to weapons are bringing them to school, and [on Wednesday] the district attorney's office charged someone for leaving his gun unsecured in a public place, park where a 3-year-old retrieved it and shot himself in the hand," Ogg said, KHOU reported.
Citing nonprofit organization Houston Gun Safety, KRIV reported that more than 300 children in the U.S. find unsecured guns and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else.
KHOU reported that the DA’s office said the safes – in addition to gun locks and safety information – will be given out at monthly meetings hosted by the Houston Police Department (HPD).
"Let's store guns safely in Harris County,” Ogg said in the report. “Lock up your weapons, everyone."
The station reported that the City of Houston will host its third firearm buyback event at Alexander Duessen Park at 12303 Sonnier St. on Saturday, with participants getting the opportunity to swap non-functioning guns for a gift card between $50 and $200.