This week the Maine Gun Safety Coalition is partnering with local law enforcement to host free lockbox giveaways as part of National Night Out events across the state.

MGSC volunteers will join law enforcement officers in multiple locations, including Aug. 4, in Auburn, Biddeford, and Kennebunk, and Thursday, Aug. 6, in Augusta, to hand out free firearm lockboxes to families with children to promote secure storage of firearms.

“The Augusta Police Department is thrilled to partner with the Maine Gun Safety Coalition at the Augusta Family Fun Night,” said Augusta Chief of Police Kevin Lully, in a MGSC news release. “These gun lock boxes play a vital role in firearm safety by ensuring secure storage. This incredible opportunity would not be possible without the dedication of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, and all the work they do in communities just like Augusta.”

This year MGSC planned to hand out 750 lockboxes.

“We’re grateful for this continued partnership with local law enforcement agencies to promote secure gun storage for Maine families,” said Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. “Hunting and gun ownership are important traditions in Maine, and part of that tradition is understanding that with gun rights come responsibilities like keeping firearms secure to help prevent tragic accidents for children and teens.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens, and unsecured firearms can lead to horrific accidents with children. Maine also has the highest suicide rate among children and teens ages 10-19 in the Northeast, the highest number of firearm suicides among children and teens, and one in five Maine middle school students report seriously considering suicide.

"Requiring secure storage of firearms in the home significantly lowers the risk of both self-inflicted and unintentional firearm harm among children and teens," said MGSC.

The Maine Gun Safety Coalition is a nonprofit coalition of gun responsibility advocates, health care and mental health professionals, faith leaders, teachers, gun owners, veterans groups, and other advocates dedicated to reducing gun violence and saving lives. MGSC believes in an evidence-based approach to gun violence prevention and advocates for common sense policies at the state and federal levels that make our communities, schools, and families safer.