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King County Washington home

Lock It Up: Promoting the safe storage of firearms

King County's Lock It Up program mission is to promote safety in our communities by increasing safe firearm storage.

Short URL: kingcounty.gov/lockitup

Why safe storage matters

Locking up firearms when not in use helps prevent:

  • Unintentional harm to curious kids
  • Suicide attempts by youth and adults in crisis
  • Theft and misuse of firearms

Did you know?

  • About 1 out of 5 adults in King County say a firearm is kept in or around their home
    • About 1/3 of firearm owners with kids and 1/2 of firearm owners without kids don't store their firearms locked up
  • In 2020, 177 King County residents died of firearm injuries. In 2019, 169 people were hospitalized with injuries from being shot?
  • 857 incidents of stolen firearms were reported to King County law enforcement agencies in 2020?
    • 38% of those reported thefts were from motor vehicles?
  • 75% of firearms used in suicides of children were stored unlocked?

Storing guns locked up when they're not on you is the best way to prevent curious kids from getting hurt with firearms, youth and adults in crisis from using a family firearm for suicide, and firearms from being stolen and misused by others.

For current data, visit:

Triple safe firearm storage method

This method creates multiple barriers to prevent accidents, suicide, and theft, especially in homes with children or individuals in crisis. The safest way to store firearms includes:

  • Unloaded

    No ammunition in the firearm.

  • Locked

    Use a cable lock, trigger lock, or secure container.

  • Separate ammunition

    Store in a different locked location.

Safe storage device options

Cable Lock

  • What it is: Blocks the chamber to prevent firing
  • Pros: Inexpensive, portable, fits many firearms
  • Cons: Can be cut, doesn’t prevent theft
  • Price: Free – 20+

Large Safe

  • What it is: Heavy-duty safe for long guns, handguns, and valuables
  • Pros: Very secure, fireproof, hold large collections
  • Cons: Heavy, expensive
  • Price: $150-$1,000+
  • Are generally fireproof

Lock Box

  • What it is: Small safe for handguns, often bolted or cable-secured
  • Pros: Secure, portable, discreet
  • Cons: Can be stolen if not bolted, limited capacity
  • Price: $25-$200+

Trigger Lock

  • What it is: Two-piece lock that blocks the trigger
  • Pros: Inexpensive, fits many firearms
  • Cons: Doesn’t prevent theft, firearm remains visible
  • Price: $5-20+

The Lock It Up Program

Current efforts

Funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention, the program promotes and supports safe storage statewide in partnership with local health jurisdictions, community violence intervention groups, and advocacy organizations.

Impact highlights (as of June 2025)

  • 6,581 safety devices distributed
  • Broad geographic reach via local partnerships

Frequently asked questions

Not directly. However, you may be held criminally liable if an unsecured firearm is accessed by a prohibited person and causes harm.

Report to local law enforcement within 24 hours. Include make, model, serial number, and theft details. To learn more, read the Revised Code of WA (RCW) 9.41.368.

Attend a Lock It Up community event for free devices. Our partners at Seattle Children’s also offer a discount code.

An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) is a civil—not criminal—legal tool that temporarily removes firearms from individuals who are at risk of harming themselves or others. It does not involve an arrest or criminal charge. ERPOs can be requested by family members, household members, or law enforcement.

Spread the message. Display Lock It Up posters and brochures.
Firearm Locking Devices brochure (1.3 MB)

Screenshot of the LOCK IT UP brochure