Gun Locks Available at UNCOM Locations

Free gun locks are available at all United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM) locations. In the United States, unintentional injury is the fourth leading cause of death among infants (i.e., children aged <1 year) and is the top cause of death among children and adolescents aged 1–17 years; firearms are a leading injury method. (CDC December 2013). According to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAPP), an estimated 4.6 million kids live with unlocked, loaded guns. Unintentional shootings happen to children of all ages, but the risk of accidental death is 4 times higher in homes with guns.

“At UNCOM, we are dedicated to reducing gun violence and creating safe spaces in our community,” said Renée Logee, UNCOM Executive Director. “It is important to have locks readily available to decrease unintentional shootings. We offer gun locks at all UNCOM centers and encourage the public to make use of them. We do not ask for any identifying information to reduce a barrier.”

“We all have a responsibility to prevent senseless gun deaths and injuries that are impacting some of our youngest residents. We are grateful for our partnership with UNCOM because far too often, we are seeing deadly consequences when children and teens get their hands on firearms,” Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said. “I ask all gun owners to safely store their guns by use of a gun lock or safe. We all have a role of keeping guns out of the hands of children. Their lives are at stake.”

Gun locks will be distributed at the following UNCOM Locations upon request:

United Neighborhood Center of Milwaukee (UNCOM) home office – 1609 W. North Avenue, Ste. 101
Wednesdays 8am – 4pm
http://uncom-milw.org

City on a Hill – 2224 W. Kilbourn Avenue
http://cityonahillmke.org

COA Youth and Family Centers – 909 E. Garfield Avenue, 2320 W. Burleigh Street
https://www.coa-yfc.org/

Journey House – 2110 W. Scott Street
http://www.journeyhouse.org/

Milwaukee Christian Center – 807 S. 14th Street
https://mccwi.org

Neighborhood House of Milwaukee – 2819 W. Richardson Place, 53208
https://neighborhoodhousemke.org/

Neu-Life Community Development – 2014 W. North Avenue, 53205
https://www.neu-life.org/

Northcott Neighborhood House – 2460 N. 6th Street
https://northcotthouse.org/

Silver Spring Neighborhood Center – 5460 N 64th Street, 53218
https://www.ssnc-milw.org/

The United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM) is a unique resource collaborative dedicated to strengthening the lives of Milwaukee’s urban families. We work with neighborhood organizations to provide services and create opportunities that empower individuals and build strong interdependent communities. This collaboration of eight tightly affiliated neighborhood centers empowers UNCOM to combine its forces, to advocate for systematic change, serve as a trusted communication conduit for community residents, and build cases for strategic government and private investments in programs and institutions that help build strong and healthy families, accelerate prosperity, and make our city better for all residents

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.