CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Advocates for survivors of gun violence gathered with 8th District Chicago police officers Saturday to give away hundreds of gun locks in the Chicago Lawn community.
“Lock it down,” said activist Andrew Holmes. “Simple as that. Take a simple lock to save a child’s life.”
Holmes, who’s been leading the local effort and has promised a national free gun lock movement, said accidental gun violence doesn’t discriminate.
“This is not just about African Americans,” he said. “We’re united with everybody. White Americans, hispanic Americans, because they lost children due to negligence of no one putting a lock on their guns. We’re going to be in every community where we can be.”
The gun locks handed out Saturday outside of a small church on West 60th Street near Kedzie Avenue were cable locks. They work by threading the cable through the barrel, the chamber and/or magazine slot in order to prevent the gun from being loaded or fired.
“Basically, like a bike lock, for a weapon,” said 8th District CAPS Sgt. Mathew Malloy. “The weapon can’t properly function while the lock is on there, and there’s a key, as well. It can be locked, and the key can be put in a separate location.”
Holmes said they were able to pass out over 300 gun locks at Saturday’s event, and he added that they’re inexpensive to purchase.
“These are just about $1.89,” he said. “I mean, for $1.89, to stop a projectile from going through that gun, it’s worth it because you can save a life.”
He said there does appear to be a demand for gun safety.
“When they pull up, they’re saying, ‘Thank you.’” This is what’s needed,” Holmes said. “We give them one, and they turn around: ‘Hey, may I have another one? I’ve got a neighbor. I’ve got a friend.’ Just to see the shock on their face that they are getting a gun lock to save a life, instead of taking a life.”
In the four years since Holmes first began handing out gun locks for free, he said that he has also been in talks with professional and Olympic athletes.
“They are on board with this, so this is going to be a national movement, which started here in Chicago with families that are standing here now, to save the children — save the babies,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about. A simple gun lock.”
Holmes also had a message for the National Rifle Association.
“You’re selling guns, why don’t you just give them a gun lock as you’re selling it,” he said. “Give them a gun lock [for] free. If you care about these babies, give them a gun lock. There will be a movement to the White House — legislators, leaders, get on board with it — because we’re not stopping until we save our babies.”
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