CINCINNATI, Ohio—Sheriff’s offices across the state are supplying free gun locks to Ohioans during this time of quarantine. That’s all thanks in part to Whitney/Strong, an organization founded by a survivor of the Cincinnati shooting.
- Whitney Austin survived the Cincinnati Shooting in September of 2018
- Austin created Whitney/Strong to advocate for gun safety
- Whitney/Strong is helping to supply free gun locks at sheriff's offices across the state as well as at Cincinnati Police Department locations
Whitney Austin is a survivor of the Cincinnati shooting in September of 2018. She’s trying to make that negative into a positive by being an advocate for gun safety and getting gun locks into our communities.
Austin was shot 12 times on September 6, 2018 while entering the Fifth Third building in downtown Cincinnati.
“This goes back to September 6th and really still how I feel today as someone who’s recovering from gun violence and I want to do anything I can to ensure people don’t go through what I did," Austin said.
Shortly after the shooting, Austin founded Whitney/Strong to advocate for gun safety laws. But now, with a lot of things on hold, Austin still wanted to make a difference while people are at home. When she saw how much gun purchases were increasing, she decided to do something to make sure those guns are stored safely.
“We have to take it back to responsibility," she said. "That’s what Whitney/Strong is all about. It’s not about if guns are good or bad, it’s about making sure that if you have them, you are responsible.”
In partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Whitney/Strong was able to place 5,000 gun locks at sheriff’s departments across the state.
“When she came to us with the idea of offering more gun locks for gun safety in the community, we are absolutely on board with that," Lt. Steve Saunders the public information officer for the Cincinnati Police Department said.
But, both Austin and the Cincinnati Police Department agree that a gun lock isn’t the only way or even the best way to safely store your gun.
“There are a lot of different ways to safely store your gun," Austin said. "Personally, as a family, we have a gun safe, a very, very secure gun safe. And that is because we have two little kids. And I can tell you that I am certain that I am not on top of them 24/7 during this quarantine situation.”
The Cincinnati Police Department suggests storing ammo and your firearm separately.
“Unlock the cable, and then you’re going to run this through with the ammunition being removed from the firearm, through the actual barrel of the firearm and then back around," Lt. Saunders said.
For Austin, this is all about keeping the communities of Ohio safe during this difficult time.
“What can we do to make sure people are safely storing at home in order to keep our kids safe and really anyone that is struggling right now with suicidal thoughts," Austin said.
It’s easy to get a gun lock if you need one. All you have to do is walk into your local sheriff’s department or if you live in Cincinnati, the police department is also handing them out. You just grab one and take one home to make sure your gun is safe.