LT. GOVERNOR AIONA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO DISTRIBUTE 60,000 GUN SAFETY LOCKS STATEWIDE
For Immediate Release: July 26, 2005
HONOLULU – Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. announced that the State of Hawai`i, along with federal and county enforcement agencies have partnered with Project ChildSafe, the nation’s largest firearm safety education program, to distribute 60,000 free safety kits to promote firearm safety in the community.
The distribution of safety kits, which includes safety locks for guns and an informational brochure, is part of Project ChildSafe’s nationwide effort to keep communities safe. These cable-style locks require firearms to be unloaded before installation providing an extra level of safety.
“Owning a firearm comes with the responsibility of taking the proper safety precautions to prevent accidents, especially when it comes to children,” said Lt. Governor Aiona. “In order to protect Hawai`i’s children, it is important that gun owners have a safety lock and know how to properly store their firearms.”
Hawai`i law makes storing or leaving a firearm within reach or easy access of a child under the age of 16 a misdemeanor whether the firearm has been used or not.
Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program that promotes safe firearms handling and storage practices with safety education and free firearm safety kits. The program is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods and is supported by a U.S. Department of Justice grant and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Lt. Governor Aiona made the announcement today along with National Project ChildSafe Director Steve Alger; U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo; Attorney General Mark Bennett; U.S. Marshal Mark Hanohano; Special Agent Wayne Wills, Immigration and Customs; Tamah-Lani Noh, state drug control liaison; Honolulu Police Department Major Debora Tandal; Maui Deputy Chief of Police Kekuhaupio Akana; and Billy Kenoi of Hawai`i Mayor Harry Kim’s office.
For more information about Project ChildSafe or to obtain a free firearm safety kit, call the Office of the Lt. Governor at (808) 586-0255.
####
For more information, contact:
Celyn Chong Kee
Public Liaison
Phone: (808) 586-0274
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
