Letter to the Editor: Lock up your guns
Letter to the editor
Guns are the leading cause of death for children in the US. Gun safety is a public health issue. Where do kids get loaded guns?
More than half of those who say they have easy access report they can get them from their home. Proper firearm storage is crucial, not only for the safety of the owner but for the community.
Accidental discharges, unauthorized access by children/others, and theft can be significantly reduced through safe storage. Firearm owners need to ensure their guns are stored securely in a locked cabinet/safe, with ammunition stored separately.
In 2025, Routt County Public Health distributed over 250-gun safes. Owners of firearms can get free gun locks at the Combined Law Enforcement Center in Steamboat Springs.
Steamboat Springs police say gun owners who do not have a lock or guns secured in a locked cabinet/safe are encouraged to obtain one of these free locks.
Prevention is essential. Firearms should always be unloaded, locked, and stored securely out of children’s reach.
Equally important is education: teaching children what to do if they encounter a gun can empower them to make safe choices even when adults aren’t present.
Sincerely,
Nancy Spillane
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