Project Childsafe

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Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of key safety education messages and free gun locking devices.

Project ChildSafe is an expansion of the Project HomeSafe program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). It is supported by a U.S. Department of Justice grant and is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods.

On January 14, 2004, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn kicked off the 2004 Project ChidSafe safety tour to raise awareness and distribute free gunlocks to firearms owners across the state. The free firearm safety kits were distributed by NSSF at the "Chicagoland Outdoors Show", which drew in an estimated crowd of 150,000 people over the course of the 5 day event. The gun lock consists of a vinyl-covered steel cable with one end permanently secured to a keyed padlock. When properly installed, the firearm is unloaded and the lock pervents the firearm's action from closing.

"Although accidental deaths relating to the mishandling of guns are at a historic low, every single life lost in this manner is a death that should be prevented", said Quinn. "Gun safety is paramount if citizens choose to keep a firearm in their home. Each and every individual can exercise their power to make their community a safer place by getting involved in the Project ChildSafe program."

Project ChildSafe will distribute 20 million free gunlocks nationwide and will utilize 15 education vehicles to bring safety tours to thousands of communities across the United States. Project ChildSafe will return to Illinois in the summer of 2004.