Enhancing Community Safety with Free Gun Locks at PVHMC

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC), in partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), provides free cable gun locks, available 24/7 outside our Emergency Department.

What is a Gun Lock

A gun lock is a small steel cable that is looped through the gun and secured with a key to prevent accidental firing. Click here for instructions in English and Spanish.

The Critical Role of Handgun Safety

Proper handgun safety can play a crucial role in preventing gun violence. The American Hospital Association says the source of firearms for most children who end up with them are friends and relatives. Keeping firearms locked could go a long way in preventing accidents.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer, a child is injured or killed from gun violence every 30 hours in L.A. County. Just in 2022, more than 300 L.A. residents died by gun suicide and over 500 died after being shot with a gun.

Legal Requirements for Gun Locks in Los Angeles County

In Los Angeles County and throughout California, the law requires that all firearms be stored securely with a gun lock or in a locked container, especially if children can access them. This rule applies to every firearm sold or transferred in the state, ensuring each comes with an approved safety device. These laws help prevent accidental shootings by keeping loaded guns out of the wrong hands and are important for anyone who owns a firearm.

Trauma Training and Prevention

Trauma is the leading cause of death in people under 45. Injuries from car crashes, falls, burns and other accidents take more lives than heart disease and cancer combined. PVHMC teaches free “Stop the Bleed” classes that aim to teach people how to stop major hemorrhaging through the use of tourniquets and properly applied pressure. The class is designed to teach anyone from youth to healthcare professionals how to stop life-threatening bleeding until first responders arrive. This class combined with securing firearms with gun locks is another important step in accident prevention, essential for safeguarding our community.