Kirkwood Police Provide Gun Tips, Free Locks

The is urging residents to take precautions with firearms in the home following a string of accidental shootings in and around St. Louis.

(See from Maryland Heights Patch to learn about the shootings.)

Community Services Officer Jim Cox offers the following tips on how to securely store firearms in the home.

A Secure Security Closet

"Each home should ideally have a security closet, for storage of firearms, silver, cameras, coin collections etc.," Cox said in an email to residents.

The closet should have:

• Load bearing walls on as many sides as possible,
• a solid core door,
• a heavy duty deadbolt,
• a high security strike plate and
• non-removable hinge pins.

Heavy plywood should be installed on the inside (plasterboard) walls, Cox adds. If the home has an alarm system, the closet door or interior should be alarmed.

For residents who have firearms in the home and do not have them secured with a gun lock, Cox encourages them to stop by the police department, where residents can receive free gun locks.

Residents who need more than one or two locks should call 314-822-5868 or email coxjd@kirkwoodmo.org.