Denver DA Reminds Community to Safely Secure Firearms

DENVER—Today, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann reminded the community to ensure all guns are out of the reach of children and teens by securely storing their firearms.  As more people are purchasing firearms, gun owners are urged to not leave their firearms in vehicles and to always store their guns locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition.

“As background checks for firearms increase and people stay at home, it is especially important that firearms are properly stored,” said Denver DA McCann.  “Adults should assume their kids know where the guns are and reduce the chance of harm by safely storing their firearms.”

Firearms should be secured with a firearm locking device, such as a jacket or cable lock, or in a gun safe or lock box.  There are also companies and organizations that offer short and long-term storage solutions.

“I am concerned that factors like depression and suicide, domestic violence and child abuse are likely to rise as the requirement to stay at home continues and people are suffering from stress and anxiety occasioned by the COVID-19 epidemic,” said DA McCann.  “Mandatory reporters of abuse are not able to interact in the same way with those at risk to violence in these extraordinary times.”

Prior to COVID-19, suicides accounted for approximately 78% of all gun deaths in Colorado.  To keep that number from rising, safely storing firearms now can help prevent a bad situation from becoming worse.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, 350 children under that age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else and more than 600 children die by gun suicide every year.  Everytown has launched the Be Smart program which focuses on education and awareness about child gun deaths.

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