Medical Minute: Gun Lockbox Giveaways
https://www.ohiohealth.com/locations/hospitals/mansfield-hospitalGun injuries are now the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1 to 17, surpassing car crashes for the first time in nearly two decades.
As part of Gun Violence Prevention Month, OhioHealth is giving away free gun lockboxes at several care sites across central Ohio. These events are designed to promote safe firearm storage and open up conversations around gun safety — conversations that OhioHealth trauma surgeon, Keshav Deshpande, DO, said are long overdue.
“What I don't think a lot of children, or even the adults that get affected by this, realize is just the ever lasting effects of the minute it takes to fire a gun,” said Dr. Deshpande. In 2024 alone, OhioHealth’s five trauma centers and network of freestanding emergency departments treated more than 400 patients with gun violence-related injuries. Many of them were children.
The first two giveaway events will be held at the OhioHealth Grant Family Medicine clinic (332 E. State St., Columbus, OH):
- Monday, June 16, 1–3 p.m.
- Monday, June 23, 1–3 p.m.
The lockboxes were in high demand during last year’s events, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early. OhioHealth Doctors Hospital (5100 W Broad St., Columbus, OH) will also be hosting a giveaway event on Thursday, June 26 from 12–2 p.m. at the main hospital entrance, while OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital will host a giveaway in the main lobby on Thursday, June 19 from 1-3 p.m.
While safety tools help reduce risk, starting conversations is just as important. That’s why OhioHealth is proud to support the Ad Council’s Agree to Agree campaign, a national initiative that encourages people to find common ground around gun safety.
“Everybody has a role to play in reducing gun violence,” said Dr. Deshpande. “Whether you’re a parent, a gun owner or non-gun owner or just a concerned citizen, we can all help by starting conversations about safe gun storage and working together to reduce injuries.”
These conversations, though sometimes uncomfortable, have the power to save lives. AgreeToAgree.org offers tools to help people discuss gun safety in a respectful and productive way, including conversation starters, facts about firearm injuries and guidance on secure gun storage.
Visit OhioHealth.com/AgreeToAgree to explore ways you can help prevent gun violence before it happens.
This article will be updated with additional OhioHealth lockbox giveaway events as they are scheduled.
