KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County officials announced Monday that free gun trigger locks and cable locks are now available at three locations across the county as part of a new initiative aimed at reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths.
The initiative is being led by the Kenosha County Division of Behavioral Health Services, which has added the free firearm safety devices to public harm-reduction vending machines already stocked with overdose prevention and medication safety supplies. Officials said the move comes after a recent spike in shootings, suicides, and other firearm-related deaths in the community.
“This year so far, we’ve had eight firearm deaths, including cases of homicide or suicide,” Kenosha County Medical Examiner Patrice Hall said in the release. “I encourage people to obtain these preventive measures to help prevent further tragedies.”
Kenosha County Behavioral Health Services Director Kari Foss said the effort is intended to encourage safe firearm storage and help keep guns out of the hands of children or individuals in crisis.
“I urge all gun owners to take simple but effective steps to prevent gun violence,” Foss said. “Using trigger locks and making sure guns are stored safely are easy steps people can take to help ensure firearms aren’t used to a violent end.”
The free gun locks are now available at the following locations:
- The commons area inside the Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Road, Entrance D
- Outside the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office, 2000 63rd St.
- Outside the Sharing Center, 25700 Wilmot Road in Trevor
County Executive Samantha Kerkman said the vending machines are designed to provide a discreet and accessible way for residents to obtain safety-related resources.
“These machines provide a free, discreet opportunity for community members to reduce the risk of overdoses, improper use of medications, and, now, misuse of firearms,” Kerkman said. “Together, we can protect our families and our communities.”
Other free supplies already available in the vending machines include naloxone (Narcan) kits, fentanyl test kits, medication disposal packets, and medication lock bags.
Officials noted that several of the recent incidents involving gun violence in Kenosha County were domestic-related.
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