Local officials and gun safety advocates distribute free gun locks

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) Local officials and gun safety advocates distributed distributed of free gun locks in Philadelphia.

Residents flocked to National Night Out at the Rose Playground Monday night along with law enforcement and city officials. They are all concerned about a recent string of shootings involving children playing with guns.

As they arrived for the event they got some free food, a bag full of hand outs, and a free gun lock from sheriff's officers.

"Too many innocent children are getting their hands on their parents' guns, mom's boyfriend's gun, a gun they found in a purse or a draw," said SA Seth Williams.

Four times in the past month a teenager or a child has been shot or killed after they got their hands on a gun. Just Sunday night, a 5-year-old found his grandmother's registered weapon in a drawer at a home on east Rittenhouse Street. Police say he shot himself in the hand.

"While this won't fix all the problems, at least we can make sure that children are safe," said City Council President Darrell Clarke.

City officials are spearheading efforts to hand out free gun locks to prevent such tragedies. They hope to hand out hundreds of gun locks at these national night out events.