Prairie State Wire

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reached a significant achievement in its efforts to enhance firearm safety as it has recently surpassed the distribution of over 100,000 free gun locks since the inception of the statewide initiative less than a year ago.

In collaboration with the Illinois State Police and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, IDPH introduced the “Together for a Safer Illinois” campaign to assist gun owners in securing their firearms and ensuring that they do not end up in unauthorized hands. The primary aim of the initiative is to prevent access to firearms by individuals such as children, those lacking proper firearm training, or individuals who may pose a risk of harming themselves or others.

IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra expressed enthusiasm about the public response to the gun lock distribution program, stating, “IDPH is thrilled to see the public interest in our gun lock distribution program.” He emphasized the importance of gun locks in achieving the crucial public health goal of preventing gun violence, accidental shootings, and suicides, noting that the distribution of 100,000 gun locks marks just the beginning of this vital initiative. Dr. Vohra added, “As IDPH and our partners work, we look forward to continuing our gun lock distribution at events across Illinois this spring and summer.”

Since the program's inception in June 2023, IDPH has collaborated with local health departments and community organizations throughout Illinois to offer gun locks at various public gatherings. The distributed locks encompass installation instructions for a range of firearms, along with information about the national 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.

Moving forward, IDPH and its partners intend to persist with the gun lock giveaway at numerous events across Illinois, including summer festivals, county fairs, back-to-school events, and other community outreach programs. Local health departments and community groups seeking to provide free gun locks in their areas can obtain further details by visiting the IDPH gun safety webpage.

This initiative forms part of IDPH’s unwavering commitment to firearm safety, exemplified by the recent launch of the “Pause to Heal” campaign. This campaign aims to raise awareness about firearms restraining orders (FROs), which serve as a mechanism for restricting an individual’s access to firearms, ammunition, and firearm components when that person poses a significant danger to themselves or others. FROs are instrumental in buying time during crisis situations and empowering families and law enforcement to prevent gun violence and firearm-related suicides.

For more information on FROs and IDPH’s broader gun safety endeavors, individuals can visit the Firearm Restraining Orders page on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.