The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department), in collaboration with Parks, Recreation and Marine, will distribute 200 gun safes to the public at six park locations across Long Beach and one Health Department location in North Long Beach. The gun safes will be free of charge and issued with no questions asked, with a goal of protecting children from potential gun-related accidents and safeguarding against theft.
“Data show that nearly 4.6 million American children live in homes with unlocked and loaded guns,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Safe firearm storage plays a critical role in preventing firearm injuries and death.”
Firearms are the leading cause of death among children in the United States, and it is important for parents and caregivers to follow gun safety guidelines by following the be SMART framework:.
- Secure all guns in your home and vehicles.
- Model responsible behavior around guns.
- Ask about unsecured guns in other homes.
- Recognize the role of guns in suicide.
- Tell your peers to Be SMART.
The gun safes—which weigh 10 pounds and can fit two handguns—along with gun safety educational materials, will be available for free to Long Beach residents on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Monday at the following locations:
- Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.), weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
- Cesar E. Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Coolidge Park (352 E Neece St.), weekdays 3 to 10 p.m.
- Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- MacArthur Park (1321 E Anaheim St.), weekdays 3 to 6 p.m.
- Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.) weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
- Ron Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.), Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
People must not bring their firearms to the sites. All weapons are prohibited at city facilities, including firearms.
“Using a gun safe to store firearms reduces the risk of accidental injuries and fatalities, particularly among children,” said Dr. Anissa Davis, City Health Officer. “It also helps prevent unauthorized access, lowering the chances of firearm-related violence and suicide.”
Funding for this project comes from the City’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, approved by the Long Beach City Council, in the amount of $35,478 one-time funds as part of the Health Department’s violence prevention strategy, aligning with Goal 2 (Design and invest in community safety and violence prevention) of the Framework for Reconciliation and Goal 5.1 (Children and Youth are Safe From Violence) of the City’s 2030 Strategic Vision.
For more information, people are encouraged to visit Be Smart for Kids website.
