In an effort to make sure guns are secured and kept out of the wrong hands, the Jackson Police Department (JPD) is joining forces with a local media outlet to provide free gun locks to the community. JPD is hosting WLNS 6 News at its headquarters on E. Washington Avenue on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the station’s “Hope Over Violence Gun Lock Giveaway” initiative.
6 News is giving away “LockForAll” gun locks at events in Lansing and Jackson this fall. The events are intended to aid in fighting gun violence in Mid-Michigan communities, along with helping residents comply with Michigan’s new gun lock law, which will take effect early next year. New legislation requires gun owners to store their firearms in a locked container, such as a safe or lock box, or unloaded with a locking device when there is a minor living in their home or is expected to be on the premises.
Jackson’s event will have JPD officials and WLNS on-air personalities distributing the locks outside the Jackson Police Department. One gun lock will be given away per person. JPD is located at 216 E. Washington Ave. in Downtown Jackson. Participants are encouraged to stay in their vehicles and go through a one-way circle drive behind the department headquarters building, entering using the east driveway. They will drive through an organized line to receive their lock and then exit using the west driveway by a nearby parking structure.
Locks will be given out until 1 p.m. or while supplies last. Live reports from the giveaway can be seen during the WLNS 6 News at Noon broadcast.