Partnership Between Indianapolis Public Library and Local Police Begins Distributing Free Gun Locks at Six Branch Libraries
From the Indianapolis Public Library:
Marion County Sheriff John Layton has announced a new partnership with The Indianapolis Public Library to provide free gun locks in an effort to curb unintentional gun injury and harm.
“The Indianapolis Public Library is a natural partner for distribution of these free gun locks, not only because they provide access to these gun locks evenly throughout the community, but also because they are a place of learning and education. Picking up one of these free gun locks is a great reason to take advantage of many of the services that the Library has to offer,” said Sheriff Layton, “It is our duty, however, to do everything that we can to cut down on unintentional gun injury and harm, and this is one more step towards gun education and safety.”
Jackie Nytes, Chief Executive Officer of The Indianapolis Public Library, stated: “Indy Libraries help ensure safer neighborhoods where families can live, learn and work without fear of unnecessary harm. In addition to being a gun lock distribution point, participating libraries are places where people can access both print and on-line resources on gun safety, conflict resolution and other topics. They are also places where neighbors can come together to discuss related issues of concern to the community.”
Free gun locks will be available by request at six Indianapolis Public Library locations including the Central Library (40 E. St. Clair St.), the Southport Branch (2630 E. Stop 11 Road), the Glendale Branch (6101 N. Keystone Ave.), the Brightwood Branch (2435 N. Sherman Dr.), the Irvington Branch (5625 E. Washington St.), and the West Indianapolis Branch (1216 S. Kappes St.).
The partnership between the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and The Indianapolis Public Library is new, but not the MCSO Gun Lock Giveaway program. Since 2011, Sheriff Layton has distributed over 5,000 free gun locks throughout the community through inmate commissary funds. Other pick-up locations for free gun locks include Beech Grove Firearms, Pop’s Guns and the Riley Children’s Hospital Safety Store.
Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries

About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.