Several small children in the community surrounding the library’s Bluford Branch had recently been shot in incidents involving improperly stored weapons in private homes. Some of the victims were young library patrons. Library staff members recognized the need for firearms safety education in the community.

Classes were held at two library locations in high-crime areas, including the Bluford Branch and one session was livestreamed via Facebook Live. Police provided free gun locks to anyone who wanted them, no questions asked, and members of Moms Demand Action held class on safe storage. Library staff members surveyed patrons to find out the biggest concerns in the KC community, with violence ranking second behind the lack of available jobs.

Two dozen people attended the sessions, and police distributed 12 locks. The Facebook livestream reached 1,500 people; another 479 viewed the video. The program attracted considerable media attention from newspapers and TV. On Twitter, librarians from Canada and the U.K. weighed in on distributing gun locks at a library, prompting a discussion of the role of libraries in their communities. Locally, the program served to strengthen relationships between police officers, the library and the community.