BOZEMAN – Accidental deaths caused by guns happen across the country — and here in the Treasure State — every year.
Ensuring your firearm is secure has the potential to save a life.
“This isn’t about infringing on anybody’s right to possess firearms or bear arms,” said Bozeman Police Chief Steve Crawford. “It is about being a responsible firearm owner and a responsible user of firearms and making sure we’re not leaving them unsecured in an area where a person can access them that shouldn’t.”
According to a recent analysis by the Violence Policy Center, Montana has a household gun ownership rate of 67.5 percent. The analysis also showed Montana ranked second-highest in total gun deaths in 2017.
Chief Crawford said one way to make a big impact where gun safety is concerned is the use of gun locks.
“An unsecured firearm in a home is a risk, and here’s something that can be done, just like clicking your seatbelt going down a highway, that we can make,” he said.
Free gun locks are available at the Gallatin City-County Health Department and Bozeman police and fire departments.
Reporting by Emma Hamilton for MTN News
