When not in use, firearms should be stored securely with a cable or trigger lock or in a firearm safe, disassembled and unloaded. To reduce firearm deaths and injuries, Guilford County Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) and its partners promote safe firearm storage by distributing cable firearm locks and sharing other educational materials to promote safer storage.

Starting in June 2024, the Guilford County Firearm Safety & Education Team distributed firearm safety locks at various community engagement events including those hosted by Greensboro Police Department, NC S.A.F.E (Secure All Firearms Effectively), High Point Police Department, Cone Health Center for Health Equity, GCDPH Sexual Health Action Group, and the City of Greensboro. 

From June through December 2024, the team distributed 62 firearm safety locks.
 

In 2025, the Guilford County Firearm Safety & Education Team expanded and formalized firearm safety lock distribution efforts, increasing the number and type of distribution settings and strengthening internal and external partnerships.

Lock distribution occurred at a broad range of community engagement events and partner-hosted activities, including those led by the Greensboro Police Department, Cone Health Center for Health Equity, the GCDPH Sexual Health Action Group, Family Connects, the Department of Social Services (DSS), and the Guilford County Overdose Prevention & Education Collective.

The Guilford County Firearm Safety & Education Team also trained DSS and Family Connects staff on firearm safe storage education and the proper use and distribution of safety locks, helping to institutionalize safe storage practices within internal partner agencies. Through intentional training and technical support to ensure more consistent access to firearm safety locks for clients, firearm safety lock distribution became a more routine, needs-based component of client engagement, expanding reach beyond community events and into ongoing service delivery.

From January through December 2025, the team, DSS, and Family Connects distributed a total of 137 firearm safety locks, reflecting increased partner capacity and more consistent integration of firearm safety education and resources across systems serving families and individuals at elevated risk.