The City of Long Beach will offer free gun storage safes to residents as part of an initiative to promote firearm safety and prevent gun-related injuries and deaths, officials announced Monday.
Beginning April 28, the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with its parks and recreation department, will distribute 200 gun safes on a first-come, first-served basis at locations across the city.
The gun safes will be given away to any resident, no questions asked, officials said.
Firearms are the leading cause of death among children in the United States, and officials say safe storage, in addition to responsible behavior and open conversation about firearms in homes, can greatly reduce the risk of unnecessary injuries and deaths.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a news release that nearly 4.6 million American children live in homes with unlocked and loaded guns.
The gun safes, which weigh about 10 pounds and can hold two handguns, will be available at seven locations across the city during the following hours:
- 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.
Dr. Anissa Davis, Long Beach City Health Officer, said using gun safes to store firearms reduces the risks of accidents, particularly among children, but also helps “prevent unauthorized access, lowering the chances of firearm-related violence and suicide.”
The program is made possible through a one-time approval of funds in the 2025 city budget. The effort is part of a broader violence prevention strategy in Long Beach, officials said.
Because firearms are prohibited on all city facilities, anyone interested in receiving a free safe must leave their weapon at home.
For more information about preventing firearms-related deaths and injuries, visit besmartforkids.org.