Lt. Governor Leads Gun Safety Effort in Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2002
Contact:Steve Snezek
406-444-3111

(Helena) - Citing the critical importance of safe gun storage, Lt. Governor Karl Ohs today kicked off a month-long statewide campaign to ensure safe and responsible firearm ownership and storage in Montana.

"We have all heard the tragic stories of children accidentally shooting themselves or a friend with a gun that was intended for sports or self-defense yet was improperly stored," said Lt. Governor Ohs. Yet, it is a simple thing to lock up your guns when you clean them and keep them out of reach of curious fingers. Something as simple as a $10 gun lock could mean the difference between lives and a tragic death."

The event was held in coordination with the Montana Association of Sheriffs and Peace Officers, and Project HomeSafe.

Project HomeSafe is a nationwide program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation and its state and community partners that helps ensure safe and responsible firearm ownership and storage.

"Through this program, our goal is to improve safety and safety awareness in Montana," said Lt. Governor Ohs. "Many citizens already have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, burglar alarms and other safety devices in their homes. Gun locks are another important safety device that can make Montana homes safer for our children."

Montana's gun safety 'tour' by Project HomeSafe is a part of their nationwide tour to promote firearm safety education to gun owners throughout America. The Safety Tour will help Project HomeSafe reach its goal of distributing 3 million firearm safety kits that include a gun lock in all 50 states during 2002.

The program will be in Montana for the month of June, traveling to numerous communities in the state.

The Safety Tour features 16-foot trucks that function as mobile firearm safety classrooms. When the Safety Tour comes to a state, the truck makes pre-planned stops in communities.

A Safety Tour coordinator, working with community law enforcement officers, provides firearm safety information and a free safety kit to gun owners. Visitors can watch a safety video and check out a display of safe storage equipment. Children who accompanying adults can participate by taking the Project HomeSafe Pledge to be safe around guns and present the signed pledge to their parents.

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