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Long Beach Distributes Free Firearm Safes to Prevent Injury
By Staff Writer
Published on Mon, Aug 3, 2026
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is helping residents take an important step toward preventing firearm-related injuries by distributing 200 free firearm safes on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at three Health Department locations across the city. The giveaway returns for a second year following overwhelming community demand, with all available safes claimed within 15 minutes during last year's event.
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., approximately 67 firearm safes will be available at each of the following locations on a first-come, first-served basis, with no registration required:
- Main Health (2525 Grand Ave.)
- Miller Family Health Education Center (3820 Cherry Ave.)
- Ron Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.)
Each household may receive one free firearm safe, capable of securely storing up to two handguns, along with educational materials on responsible firearm storage and safety. Residents are reminded not to bring firearms to distribution sites, as weapons of any kind are prohibited at City facilities.
The program is part of the City's ongoing commitment to preventing firearm-related injuries, reducing unauthorized access to firearms, protecting children and preventing firearm theft. Safe firearm storage is a proven public health strategy that can help reduce accidental shootings, youth access to firearms, theft and suicide-related harm.
The initiative is funded through the City Council-approved Fiscal Year 2026 Racial Equity and Reconciliation Budget, supporting the Health Department's broader violence prevention efforts and advancing the City's long-term goals of creating safer, healthier communities for children, youth and families.
The Health Department also encourages parents and caregivers to follow the Be SMART framework for responsible firearm ownership by securely storing firearms, modeling safe behavior, asking about unsecured firearms in other homes, recognizing the role firearms can play in suicide and sharing safe storage practices with others.
With limited supplies and strong community interest expected once again, residents are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of this free opportunity to help make their homes and neighborhoods safer.
