In recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday, June 6, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is proud to partner with the Toledo VA Outpatient Clinic to promote responsible gun ownership, prevent firearm-related injuries, and emphasize the importance of safe firearm storage.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to reducing gun violence and preventing avoidable tragedies through community education—particularly among families with young children and military veterans who face a higher risk of suicide. As part of the awareness campaign, free gun locks will be available at the following locations:
- Toledo-Lucas County Health Department: 635 N. Erie St. Toledo, OH 43604 Thursday, June 5 & Friday, June 6: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Gun locks generously provided by Safe Kids Greater Toledo
- Toledo VA Outpatient Clinic: 1200 S Detroit Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., only available to veterans.
Approximately 70 percent of veteran suicides involve a firearm according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Securing firearms can create critical time and space during a suicidal crisis and has been proven to lower the risk of suicide. For more information about the importance of secure firearm storage and suicide prevention strategies for veterans, visit www.va.gov/reach/lethal-means.
Children are also vulnerable. Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States. Most unintentional shootings by children involve guns that were loaded and not secured. By securing guns in the home—locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition in gun safes, lockboxes, or with trigger locks—children may be kept safer and the risk of these injuries or deaths can be significantly reduced.
In addition to safe storage, prevention strategies such as open conversations between parents and children about gun safety and asking about firearm storage in homes children visit can also help protect young lives.