BEECH GROVE, Ind. (WISH) — Greg Burge, a passionate Second Amendment advocate, former police officer and current owner of Beech Grove Firearms, has been around guns most of his life but doesn’t let children near guns.
“As a parent and grandfather, I can tell you that in my household, firearms are not accessible to my grandchildren,” Burge said.
Burge said he could not understand how parents could allow their child to handle a weapon.
Two Indianapolis adults were charged with child neglect on Tuesday after a toddler shot herself with a handgun in a car.
“The number one priority of any adult or parent is to protect the children, and that should always be our number one priority,” Burge said.
Beech Grove Firearms has partnered with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to distribute free gun locks to customers. No questions asked and no purchase necessary.
“We have people here on a regular basis, especially when one of these news stories brings it to light,” Burge said. “You come in, and we’re not going to ask any questions. You need a parental control, and you walk out with one.”
A gun lock consists of a cable with a padlock on the end. The cable can be passed through the magazine chamber of a semi-automatic pistol or through the barrel of a revolver, preventing the weapon from being fired. A small key locks it.
Trigger locks are also available, which tend to work better on long guns.
Almost every gun manufacturer supplies a free gun lock with the purchase of a new gun.
“Whether it’s a hammer or a firearm, if you don’t secure these things, tragedies can occur,” Burge said.
Free gun locks are available at all Indianapolis Public Library branches, courtesy of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office
