A new partnership is offering Baltimore gun owners a way to safely store their firearms in an attempt to prevent suicides and unintentional shootings.

The Johns Hopkins University and the Enoch Pratt Free Library last week unveiled an initiative that will provide free gunlocks and safes in libraries across the city. The program is part of a $245,000 federal investment dedicated to safe gun storage that was secured by U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, whose district covers much of Baltimore.

The initiative comes amid a historic reduction in homicides and gun violence in Baltimore, but the city still has a “long way to go,” said Mayor Brandon Scott during a press conference last week announcing the partnership. As he prepares to launch his second five-year violence prevention plan, Scott said promoting secure firearm storage is a priority.

Joseph Sakran, executive vice chair of surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the initiative isn’t about restricting gun rights. “It’s a device and a few seconds, and those seconds save lives,” he said.

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Maryland is one of many states to have safe storage laws. Safely storing firearms prevents suicide, homicide, theft and unintentional injuries, according to research by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

Here’s where you can get free gun safety tools in Baltimore and beyond.

Baltimore City

Free gunlocks and safes will be available at five Enoch Pratt Free Library locations:

  • Central (400 Cathedral St.)
  • Cherry Hill (606 Cherry Hill Road)
  • Walbrook (3203 W. North Ave.)
  • Hamilton (5910 Harford Road)
  • Southeast Anchor (3601 Eastern Ave.)

The library is offering up to two gunlocks per person per day to people 18 and older. No library card, ID or proof of residency is required.

Biometric safes, lockboxes and cable locks can also be picked up at the adult and pediatric trauma centers of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

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Baltimore County

The Baltimore County Department of Health has been running its gun safety lock program with the county library system since June 2025. County residents who are 18 or older can pick up a lock at the service desk in any open library branch.

Locks are also available for free in harm reduction vending machines around the county. Vending machines are at these locations:

  • Drumcastle Government Center, 6401 York Road
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  • Liberty Family Resource Center, 3525 Resource Drive
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  • Eastern Family Resource Center, 9150 Franklin Square Drive
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  • Baltimore County Detention Center, 720 Bosley Ave.
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The health department provides free locks at community activities and events as well.

No ID or proof of residency is required.

Howard County

The Howard County Gun Lock Program has partnered with the county library system to offer free gun safety locks.

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Any adult 18 or older can get up to two free gunlocks at any county library.

While no library card or proof of residency is required to participate, people who pick up gunlocks may be asked to provide some basic demographic information for the county health department’s records.

Anne Arundel County

Through a partnership with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health’s Gun Violence Intervention Team, gun safety locks are available at all Anne Arundel County library locations. County residents 18 and older are eligible to receive up to two free gunlocks per day.

The gunlock program has also expanded its partnerships to include organizations throughout the county. Residents will be able to get gunlocks through these partnerships at the health department’s outreach events.

Montgomery County

Locks are sometimes available at local police stations in Montgomery County. There is no guarantee that the police station will be able to provide a lock.

No ID or proof of residency is required.