Firearms accidents can result from an unauthorized individual, often a child, finding a loaded and unsecured firearm in the home. The risk of firearms-related unintentional injuries or deaths can be reduced when firearms owners are aware of and fully understand their responsibility to handle firearms safely and store them in a secure manner.

Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program that promotes safe firearms handling and storage practices. The program is supported by a U.S. Department of Justice grant, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods. The gun locking devices distributed in the Project ChildSafe program are a cable-style gun lock that meets the California AB106 standard. Cable locks require that many types of firearms be unloaded before the cable lock is installed, providing an extra level of safety. Oakdale residents may obtain a gun lock, free of charge, by contacting the Police Department 651-738-1025.