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Milwaukee gun locks available citywide: 'If you've got it, lock it'

By and FOX6 News Digital Team
Updated  May 9, 2022 3:48pm CDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX6 News Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - Leaders announced on Monday, May 9 the details of a gun safety initiative between the City of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Police Department, the Milwaukee Fire Department, the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, and United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM).

Starting now, gun locks will be available at the UNCOM home office at 16th and North Avenue and through UNCOM members -- City on a Hill, COA Youth and Family Centers, Journey House, Milwaukee Christian Center, New Life Community Development, Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Northcott Neighborhood House, and Silver Spring Neighborhood Center.

The City of Milwaukee experienced a violent 48 hours between Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. By FOX6's count, there were ten shootings, hurting 14 people, and killing one -- 16-year-old Javarius Fowler.

"As a father of young kids, I often think about the youngest victims of gun violence," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Milwaukee gun safety initiative announced

Leaders announce details of a gun safety initiative between the City of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Police Department, the Milwaukee Fire Department, the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention and United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM).

Police say Fowler died after an argument turned into a triple shooting at the McDonald's near 49th and Hampton. A second 15-year-old teen died on Monday from injuries suffered in the shooting.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says an estimated 4.6 million kids live in homes with unlocked loaded guns. They also say the risk of accidental death is four times higher in homes with guns.

"Every single gun owner has an obligation, a moral obligation, to make sure that their firearms are secure. Under no circumstances should a firearm be in the reach of a child," the mayor said. "If you own a gun, it needs to be locked."

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson

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Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said a gun lock can stop a rash decision.

"One more step to give a person just a few seconds to think about what they are doing," Lipski said.

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski

"I do not want us to always be behind the impact of this situation by investigating these particular crimes. It's important to be in front of this," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. "We want to see a safer summer."

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Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman

"Nobody up here is under the illusion that there is a catch-all solution that is going to turn this tide overnight," Lipski said. "But I can tell you this, it is not sustainable to continue on the path that we are on when the answers, some of them are this simple (referring to the gun locks)."

Gun locks available at these locations