King County gives away lockboxes to keep guns from being stolen, accidentally fired

King County public health officials hope homes in the area will be a little safer after the county gave away thousands of firearm lockboxes.

Gun owners were invited to Lumen Field last week to get free lockboxes and learn more about safe gun storage.

One gun owner at the event, Dustin, said he has a rifle case at home, but he sometimes has a pistol out and unsecured. Now, he’ll store that in his new lockbox, safe from his 11- and 14-year-old daughters.

“Or maybe one of their friends that she might bring over that are up to no good — like one of the boys maybe,” Dustin said. “I’ve gotta worry about [that] now.”

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Dustin and other gun owners at the event declined to give their last names when discussing how they store their guns and who has access to them.

The goal of the event was not just to give away 3,000 lockboxes but also to start a conversation about safe storage. Public Health – Seattle and King County encouraged people who own guns to always lock up their weapons, so they don’t get accidentally discharged or stolen and misused.

The event was part of a three-month push in King County to address gun deaths, including homicides, suicides, and accidental deaths. This summer, the U.S. surgeon general declared gun violence a national public health crisis, and cited that it’s the leading cause of death for children and teens.

Another gun owner at the event, Terrence, said he stores his two guns in a safe, but he wanted the lockboxes, which are smaller, so he can keep his guns on-hand throughout the house.

“Ever since the pandemic hit and you heard all those incidents of people just coming through your houses, you just want to make sure you protect yourself and your family,” Terrence said.

Home invasions are actually decreasing over time, according to FBI data; they’re down since 2018. And the number of burglaries has dropped dramatically since the 90s and continues to decline.

Terrence has two kids who are 8 and 11. He said they’re the primary reason he stores his guns safely.

“Just because I don't want the kids to get into it. They're not supposed to get into it,” he said.

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Even gun owners like Jake, who lives alone, wanted lockboxes. He said, up till now, he’s always left his one gun out and unsecured.

“I feel pretty comfortable having my gun next to my bed,” he said. “I’m not worried about someone breaking in for it.”

But another gun owner said he does worry about that.

“The worst risk is having somebody break into your home and use your firearm against you,” he said, “or steal it and use it in a crime, especially with the way Washington laws are these days, you'll be held accountable for it.”