What: National safety tour visits the state of Vermont to distribute free cable-style gunlocks and accompanying educational materials as part of the Project ChildSafe (PCS) program

Who: Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie
US Attorney David Kirby
Project ChildSafe Government Relations, Matt Masterson

When: PRESS CONFERENCE
Wednesday, October 13, 2004 1:00 PM

Where: Vermont Statehouse – Cedar Creek Room, Montpelier, VT

Additional Info:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), with the endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie, US Attorney David Kirby and with the help of law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Vermont, will distribute over 40,000 free gunlocks as part of the national Project ChildSafe (PCS) initiative. PCS is designed to help make homes with firearms safer by raising awareness about responsible firearm ownership and storage.

"The United States Attorney's office, in conjunction with Project Safe Vermont, part of a federal initiative to reduce gun violence nationwide, is pleased to participate in the Childsafe gunlock distribution project. Our goal is to help Vermont families understand the importance of storing guns securely and handling guns responsibly. Providing gun owners with practical tools, such as these easy-to-use gun locks, will lead to a safer and more secure Vermont," said United States Attorney David Kirby.

“The ownership and use of firearms are part of every Vermonter’s heritage,” said Lieutenant Governor Dubie. “My own sons both graduated from Conservation Camp, just like I did, and both earned their hunter safety certificates. As we enter the fall hunting season at my house, we’ll be reviewing the basic rules of using and storing guns safely, and I hope every gun-owning household will do the same. I especially encourage households where young children are present to take advantage of this free gunlock program from the National Shooting Sports Foundation.”

In 2003, Project ChildSafe succeeded in distributing 61,000 safety kits in Vermont and has significantly raised awareness of firearms safety and responsibility. An expansion of NSSF’s Project HomeSafe, Project ChildSafe is funded by a grant from the US Department of Justice and will provide nearly 20 million free gunlocks and firearm safety educational materials to families in all 50 states, the five U.S. territories and District of Columbia.

For further information, please visit the Web site at www.projectchildsafe.org