Gun injuries have become the leading cause of death among children and teens aged 1 to 17, overtaking car crashes for the first time in nearly two decades. In response to this alarming trend, OhioHealth is distributing free gun lockboxes at various locations across central Ohio as part of Gun Violence Prevention Month. These events aim to promote safe firearm storage and encourage discussions about gun safety.
OhioHealth trauma surgeon Dr. Keshav Deshpande emphasized the importance of these conversations: “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.” In 2024 alone, OhioHealth’s facilities treated over 400 patients with gun violence-related injuries, many of whom were children.
The initial giveaway events are scheduled at OhioHealth Grant Family Medicine clinic in Columbus on Monday, June 16, and Monday, June 23, from 1–3 p.m. Attendees are advised to arrive early due to high demand experienced in previous years. Another event will take place at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital on Thursday, June 26 from 12–2 p.m.
In addition to providing safety tools like lockboxes, OhioHealth supports initiatives that foster dialogue around gun safety. The organization backs the Ad Council’s Agree to Agree campaign which promotes finding common ground on this issue. “Everybody has a role to play in reducing gun violence,” stated 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.”
AgreeToAgree.org provides resources for discussing gun safety respectfully and productively, including conversation starters and information on secure firearm storage.
For more details on how you can contribute to preventing gun violence before it occurs, visit OhioHealth.com/AgreeToAgree.