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August 2006 > MAYOR BROWN AND COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON PARTNER TO PROMOTE GUN SAFETY

MAYOR BROWN AND COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON PARTNER TO PROMOTE GUN SAFETY


Source/Contact
Office of the Mayor
Peter K. Culter
Director of Communications
716-851-4841

Buffalo -- Mayor Byron W. Brown and Antoine M. Thompson, Masten District Councilmember have partnered to promote gun safety in Buffalo. The locks were obtained by the city’s Fire Investigation Unit from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project ChildSafe, which is a nationwide program that helps ensure safe and responsible firearm ownership and storage. 
 
The announcement was made as a prelude to the 23rd National Night Out activities occurring throughout Buffalo.
 
Mayor Brown and Councilman Thompson announced that 400 trigger locks will be available to all City of Buffalo residents free of charge. The trigger locks, when properly used will prevent people from being able to access the trigger of the gun without a key.
 
“Gun safety is extremely important, especially when properly licensed firearms are stored in a home,” said Mayor Brown. “Even in the safest conditions, unlocked guns can pose a hazard for individuals, particularly children, who are not authorized to handle firearms. These trigger locks provide an added level safety for everyone.”
 
According to information from Department of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco, there were nearly 3 million firearms produced in the United States in 2004. That statistic takes into account only 74% of all gun manufacturers; nearly half of those firearms were rifles.
 
“Most firearm related crimes in Buffalo involve stolen guns, if people would store their guns with these locks intact, and keep the key in another location, we would be going a long way towards reducing the amount of crime on our streets,” said Councilmember Thompson.
 
According to an article published by the Washington Post, May 30th of this year, 39% of children who live inside of homes with firearms, know where these weapons are kept. Of those surveyed 22% reported handling those weapons, against their parent’s wishes. Age was not a factor in the likelihood of children handling these firearms; the children interviewed ranged from 5 to 14 years old.
 
Since November 1, 2000, all shotgun, handgun and rifles sales in New York State have required that a locking device be included in the transaction.
 
The trigger locks will be available through the offices of Mayor Brown and Councilmember Thompson, as well as the Buffalo Police Department.