TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Department recovered roughly 2,000 stolen firearms in 2023. Now, it’s working to expand its gun safety efforts by offering free gun locks at Tampa public libraries.
TPD said stolen guns are a big issue and it hopes giving people more access to gun locks will not only deter crime but also encourage gun owners to be more responsible.
TPD’s annual report shows the number of auto burglaries went down last year yet nearly 200 guns were stolen.
“The guns are out there and they're getting stolen from cars and we need community members and responsible gun owners to do their part,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said.
Chief Lee Bercaw said these guns were stolen from unlocked cars. He is encouraging people to not only lock their doors, but their guns. Mayor Jane Castor agreed.
“The leading cause of death among individuals 16 to 20 is gun violence and that is something as a nation is unacceptable,” Castor said.
To help deter crime, TPD is partnering with the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative to give away more than a thousand gun locks at four Tampa libraries.
You can pick up free gun locks at these four public libraries:
- Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library
- Jan K. Platt Regional Library
- North Tampa Branch Library
- New Tampa Regional Library.
“Offering them at a library makes it more accessible for the community because going into a library is a lot less intimidating for many people than going into a police station,” Shedriek Battle with Robert W. Saunders branch manager said.
The library said anyone can pick up a gun lock. Steve Freeman who was visiting Rober W. Saunders said it’s not a fix to all problems centered around gun violence.
“I can't say that it I believe it will address many issues, but it's good for people to have the information and the gun locks,” Freeman said.
TPD said even if your firearm has a lock, you should still bring your guns inside your home every night.
It said that even if it is stolen with the lock on it will make the gun inoperable. TPD said it would create challenges for someone trying to take it off which they hope will prevent them from stealing it.