HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — In a unified effort to improve student safety and reduce firearm-related tragedies, the Habersham County School District and local law enforcement agencies have announced the launch of the SECURE HOMES, SAFE KIDS Initiative. The new collaborative program will provide firearm locks to community members free of charge.
The initiative comes in response to alarming data regarding youth safety. According to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Gun Violence Solutions, firearms are currently the leading cause of death for young people ages 1-17 in Georgia. Officials emphasize that unsecured firearms significantly increase the risks of both suicide and unintentional shootings among children and teens.
The impact of secure storage
The coalition aims to educate the public on the effectiveness of proper firearm storage. Research cited by the district indicates that when guns are locked and secured—with ammunition stored separately—the risk of unintentional gun injuries in children and teens drops by 85%. Furthermore, secure storage results in a 78% reduction in the risk of self-inflicted gun injuries.
“The safety and well-being of our students is the absolute highest priority for both the Habersham County School District and all first responders serving in our community,” the district stated in a press release.
A community-wide partnership
The initiative represents a broad partnership between education and law enforcement sectors. Led by the Habersham County Schools Police Department, the program includes support from:
The Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Child Fatality Review Committee, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments in Baldwin, Cornelia, and Tallulah Falls.
“I am very optimistic that this initiative will be another positive, effective step towards a safer community,” said Murray Kogod, Habersham County Schools Director of School Safety and Chief of Police.
How to obtain a free gun lock
Community members can obtain a lock through several avenues, with distribution rolling out in two phases:
Phase 1 (Effective Immediately):
Residents may request a free lock from:
• Patrol Officers: Deputy sheriffs and police officers will carry locks in their patrol vehicles. Residents can simply ask an officer they see in the community.
• Main Offices: Locks are available at the headquarters of the Sheriff’s Office and the participating police departments (Baldwin, Cornelia, and Tallulah Falls).
Phase 2 (Beginning January 2025):
Following the New Year, the program will expand to include School Resource Officers (SROs). At that time, parents and community members will be able to obtain locks directly from the SROs at each school within the district.
