Reading, June 16, 2011– State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) joined with several law enforcement officials today to hold a gun safety event at her district office.  The event was intended to promote safe handling and storing of personal firearms.

“Proper storage and handling of firearms, especially in homes with small children, is crucial,” Schwank said.  “It is my hope that through this event and the information we provide here today, more gun owners can keep their families safe through proper gun storage.”

At the event, Sen. Schwank and Berks County District Attorney John Adams discussed the importance of properly securing guns with a gun lock.

“Too often we find ourselves investigating incidents where a gun accidentally discharged resulting in the loss of life or a limb,” Adams said.  “These accidents could easily be prevented by the use of a gunlock.”

The chief county detective, Michael J. Gombar, provided a demonstration of how gunlocks work, and several other law enforcement officials discussed how important this effort is based on their experiences in their respective jurisdictions.

“Often firearm accidents in the home are the result of improper and unsecure firearm storage,” Schwank said.  “This is risky and can result in the possibility of a child finding a loaded firearm and doing themselves or someone else serious bodily harm.”

Schwank added that when storing a firearm, owners should always:

  • Make sure the gun is not loaded;
  • Clean the gun properly;
  • Use a trigger lock; and
  • Store guns in a secure place away from children.

She added that the installation of gun locking devices is very important.  Free gun locks were distributed to attendees at the event and are available free charge at Sen. Schwank’s District Office (1940 N. 13th St., Suite 232, Reading), the District Attorney’s Office in the County Services Center, and at various police stations around the county.

Gunlocks were provided by Project ChildSafe, 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.

“All citizens who own guns, especially if there are children in the home, should have a gun lock,” Schwank said. “Gun locks are a great way to prevent the tragedy of accidental shootings in the home.  This will make it that much easier to keep your guns safe.”

Senator Schwank stated that with more children being home on summer break, it was an important time to hold an event like this.

Also participating in the event were Berks County First Assistant District Attorney M. Theresa Johnson, Reading Deputy Police Chief Mark Talbot, Sr., and Detective Joseph Brown, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 71.

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