Wayne County Begins Audio Campaign To Promote Gun Storage and Prevent Child Injuries

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy launched an audio campaign on Monday. The goal is to push residents to store firearms in locked, secure spots. Injuries and deaths happen when children grab unsecured weapons, and this program aims to stop that.

Worthy's office has discovered unsecured weapons in cribs, on kitchen tables, on couches, in play rooms, and under pillows over more than a decade, per FOX 2 Detroit. Her team's research shows 91 percent of unlocked guns were loaded.

Firearms kill more children than anything else in the United States and Michigan. The rate beats deaths from car accidents.

The prosecutor applied for and won a grant to pay for the audio campaign. Residents will hear messages on radio and online platforms.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield joined Monday's press conference. Both officials said every case where a child grabs a weapon can be stopped before it happens.

Maurice Hardwick serves as CEO of Live in Peace Movement. People call him Pastor Mo, and he works in crime prevention. His nephew died in an unsecured weapon incident, which made him start his group.

"If there's a lock on the door, on the gun and they can't open it, they can't use it, you are protecting lives," said Hardwick.

Hardwick added that stolen weapons can hurt other families. He pressed the need for gun locks to keep both children and criminals away from them.

A 2024 law gave the prosecutor's office new tools. They can now go after cases with unsecured firearms. The legislation helps officials hold owners accountable when children get access to weapons.