Roadmap for the Firearm Locks Project

 
 

Procuring the Firearm Locks and Safes

Use this template to reach out to the following groups in your area to see if they have any firearm safes and locks that they would be willing to donate:

  1. Police departments within your county 

  2. Public health departments 

  3. Hospitals and clinics, especially those with a Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) *Required for Trauma Centers

  4. VA offices 

  5. Libraries 

  6. Governments offices of violence reduction or firearm safety

  7. Organizations hosting community events that might provide free firearm locks (e.g., annual medical school Community Day, Gun Buyback event, Farmers Market)

  8. Ask groups (1-7) to set aside X number of locks for SAFE Chapter.

Create a detailed inventory of the safes and locks. Keep track of the number of and where they were received from.

Hosting a Locks Distribution Event for Healthcare Providers

Decide on how many locks you want to give to them. How many will go directly to healthcare providers versus the community? Take inventory of the number of locks being handed out. 

  1. Select hospitals/clinics/healthcare providers that interact with firearm injury patients the most (e.g., trauma surgeons/teams, ER, mental health providers). 

  2. Reach out to them, if you have not already established a connection, to coordinate delivering the safes and locks. 

    1. If you have not established a connection, introduce SAFE to the provider and set up a time to meet. 

  3. Determine who within the local SAFE chapter will be delivering the locks and who else will be involved. 

  4. Provide resources to clinicians so they know how to distribute the locks and discuss firearm safety with their patients.

  5. Schedule two follow-up meetings for 3 and 6 months to discuss observations and impacts since delivering the locks.

  6. Update the locks inventory after the locks have been delivered (or as needed).

Hosting a Lock Distribution Event for Firearm Owners & Community Members

Choose a date and location most accessible and convenient for people to attend (e.g., weekends or after 4-5pm; at farmers’ markets, community centers, etc).

  1. Determine if there will be a cost to set up a booth or table at the selected location.

  2. Coordinate with the venue to confirm that the table/booth is secured.  

  3. Determine the number of SAFE Chapter members needed at the event. Who will help with transportation, checking people in/out, handing out the locks?

  4. Consider how the locks will be transported to the venue. Will the locks be stored in boxes or bins? Are those containers available for use?

  5. Design promotional materials to publicize and advertise the event.

    1. Share the materials with local organizations from the Procurement section (Parts 1–7). 

    2. Share with SAFE HQ who will post on social media to spread the word.

Day of the Distribution Event for Firearm Owners & Community Members

  1. Arrive 30 minutes early to set up the table/booth. 

  2. Hand out the locks once the recipient has provided name and contact information on a sign-in sheet. 

  3. Distribute brochures or pamphlets that cover safe firearm storage.

  4. Seek feedback from the community post-distribution. 

  5. Update the inventory at the end of the event. Confirm the number of locks handed out and that all information is correct on the sign-in sheet.