Seven years and thousands of free gun locks later, Lock It For Love (LIFL) reached
several significant milestones this summer, according to numbers shared at GGS’
August meeting.
The safe storage initiative distributes free gun locks along with educational information
promoting responsible gun ownership. Its volunteers have attended 261 community
events in the metro area and distributed more than 7,214 free gun locks since 2017.
Barb McNeile, LIFL chair, reported other LIFL milestones reached to date:
- Distributing 708 free gun locks in a single month (July)
- Distributing 351 free gun locks at a single event (Operation Backpack at Swope
Park) - Surpassing 2,000 total volunteer hours from 131 volunteers
Requests for LIFL appearances have increased dramatically with 10 events booked to
date for October and November. “We go where we’re asked, and sometimes we ask if
we can go,” Barb said of the program, whose geographic reach so far has extended
from Lawrence, KS, to Independence, MO, and KCMO/KCK south to Gardner, KS.
It takes time to package the gun locks with educational materials, instructions for using the gun lock on various firearms and a lifesaver candy – because we know that locks save lives! Volunteers enjoy the camaraderie of “Stuffing Parties” which are being scheduled more frequently to keep up with demand! L-R: Elizbeth Duke, Mary Dees, Kathi Knop, Robin Goode and Donna Euston. Back row: Shelby Woodward, Violence Prevention Program Coordinator from our partners, the Wyandotte County Public Health Department in KCK. Out of camera range: Jim and Patti Reagan and Barbara Livers
Thanks to just some of the 131 Lock It For Love volunteers pictured here who together have surpassed 2,000 total volunteer hours since the program began seven years ago.