Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office and state Rep. Tony DeLuca have partnered to provide a gun safety event in Penn Hills.
Sheriff deputies will be at the lawmaker’s district office at 7205 Saltsburg Road from 9-11 a.m. April 23.
People can learn about gun safety and receive free gun locks while supplies last.
Deputies also plan to have coloring books and other handouts for children as well as other literature for parents.
“I think it’s imperative that children and parents have the ability and the education to prevent unnecessary harm to children,” Sheriff Kevin Kraus said. “We do this (kind of event) when we’re asked to come out, and do it in other communities.”
No registration or residency is required.
DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, said he was inspired to organize such an event following the tragic shooting death of a child in Penn Hills in November.
Keegan McGivern, 13, was charged with criminal homicide and possession of a firearm by a minor after he allegedly killed his brother, Connor Wolfe, 5, who was found shot in their Prescott Drive home on Nov. 22, officials said.
Parents Thomas Wolfe, 36, and Sara Gerwig, 37, were both charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of children in connection with the shooting as well.
Online court documents indicate their cases are still making their way through Allegheny County courts.
“Whatever’s happening out there, these kids are getting shot for no fault of their own and that’s a tragedy,” DeLuca said. “The more and more you look at this stuff, it’s not that easy to say, ‘get rid of the guns.’”
DeLuca hopes providing gun locks and safety education will help save lives.
“If they are a conscientious gun owner, and they have kids, they want to make sure the gun is safe in the house,” he said. “Sometimes you go out and kids are searching (for things). You can always find something if you’re looking. A law-abiding gun owner wants to make sure they have these locks.”
DeLuca said he also plans to introduce legislation requiring at least six hours of gun safety training for those applying for a gun permit.
DeLuca introduced such a bill years ago, but it failed due to a lack of support.
“We’re going to introduce it again because I think it’s something people need,” DeLuca said.
