Child's Death Prompts Milwaukee To Provide Gun Lock Giveaway

The city of Milwaukee is giving away 600 free gun locks, and city leaders are urging owners to store their guns away from children after a child was shot and killed this weekend.

Nine-year-old Miyanna Jelks was accidentally shot by her brother at their home Saturday afternoon.

In response, the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention and WestCare Wisconsin’s Youth Action Council — a gun safety group — are offering up to three free gun locks per household and offering gun safety guides online.

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Gun locks the city of Milwaukee is handing out. Ximena Conde/WPR

Announcing the lock initiative with Alderwoman Milele Coggs, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said protecting children is imperative.

“We as a city and adults in the city have to do everything they can to make sure guns — loaded or unloaded — are not within the reach of children,” Barrett said.

Director of the Office of Violence Prevention Reggie Moore called the Saturday shooting a preventable tragedy.

“And it’s a tragedy that, unfortunately, every year tends to happen in our community,” he said, reporting that last year more than 600 free gun locks were distributed across the city.

This week, gun locks will be available in two police district stations and three health centers. Roughly half of the locks are donated by the Milwaukee Police Department and the other half are made available through grants awarded to WestCare.

Residents don’t need to have an ID in order to get one.

“There is no excuse. It is free. And if it could save the life of another child so we don’t have to be sitting at another press conference like this, then it is worth it,” said Coggs.

Milwaukee is also planning a public awareness campaign on firearm safety for the spring. Residents will also be able to anonymously turn in firearms they no longer want.