During Suicide Prevention Month in September, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) gave away more than 1,200 gun locks to law enforcement agencies.
“We know that gun locks help prevent both suicide and gun accidents,” said KDVA Commissioner Heather French Henry. “With too many veterans in the U.S. committing suicide every day, it is critical we do everything we can to prevent suicide in both the short and long term.”
KDVA distributed 500 gun locks at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office booth at the State Fair in August, and more than 1,200 at the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association convention in Owensboro on Sept. 16.
“We gave away every gun lock we brought within 45 minutes,” said KDVA Homeless Veterans Coordinator Trina Patty. “The sheriffs who didn’t get gun locks have asked us for more than 1,000.”
“Having these locks to distribute to military veteran gun owners in our communities is a great advantage to us,” said Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain, speaking on behalf of the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association. “We strongly encourage gun safety and responsibility always, and gun locks are a great way to do that.
“We can’t thank KDVA enough for getting these for us.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), 22 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day, many by using a gun. The USDVA estimates that only five to seven of those 22 have received benefits or mental health services through USDVA.
The USDVA provided the gun locks through its partnership with KDVA, which has ordered more than 2,500 additional gun locks and will be distributing those through local law enforcement agencies through the end of the year.
From KDVA