Baltimore secures $245K for free gun safes to curb firearm accidents
U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume has secured $245,000 in federal funding to promote safer firearm storage in Baltimore. The money, allocated by the U.S. Department of Justice, will provide biometric gun safes, lockboxes, and cable locks to residents. Mfume announced the initiative during a visit to Johns Hopkins Hospital on Monday, March 30. The funding will support hospital-based programs at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Children's Centre, and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Centre. These facilities will distribute the storage devices to patients and families in partnership with community organisations. The goal is to reduce gun-related accidents and violence by encouraging responsible firearm storage.
Mfume was joined at the announcement by key figures, including Kevin Sowers, Katherine Hoops, and Redonda Miller. Also present were Cassandra Crifasi and Joshua Horwitz from the Center for Gun Violence Solutions, along with Maria Harris Tildon from the Office of Federal Strategy. Representatives from the trauma and violence intervention program, as well as the paediatric trauma team, attended as well. This effort aligns with broader violence prevention work at Johns Hopkins. Research from the Center for Gun Violence Solutions backs safe storage as a critical step in reducing gun injuries. While similar programs exist in some U.S. communities, they remain rare and are not tracked nationally.
The $245,000 will directly fund the purchase and distribution of secure storage devices across Baltimore. Hospitals and community groups will work together to ensure these tools reach those most in need. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to improve public safety through evidence-based gun violence prevention.
