NEW ORLEANS — Flanked by prosecutors, Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams shared a message Thursday about gun safety ahead of the holidays.
“Especially now that they’re about to be off for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holiday, it is essential that these homes, that all of our homes, are free from the obvious harm posed by unsecured firearms," Williams said.
Williams stressed that locking and properly storing guns saves lives.
“This is not about limiting anybody’s gun rights. That’s not what this is about. This is about safeguarding lives," Williams said.
New Orleans has seen a 13 percent increase in juvenile violence compared to this time last year, and there have been 39 juvenile homicides in 2023, according to data from the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
In recent weeks, juvenile shootings have been rampant. In late October, a father was charged with negligent homicide in the shooting death of his three-year-old daughter in Algiers.
“I do realize that this gun owner loves their children or loves the child that was in that home that found that gun, but that doesn’t deal with the legal consequences, and they will have to deal with those consequences in court," Williams said.
Williams said gun owners who neglect their safety responsibilities will face criminal penalties.
“Each of these tragedies was absolutely preventable," Williams said.
That's why the DA's Office is now providing gun locks and biometric safes free of charge. Williams said there will be no questions asked either, simply show up and ask for a lock.
The DA's Office is located at 619 S. White Street New Orleans, LA 70119.
Orleans and Jefferson Parish residents can also get free gun locks through a partnership with Children's Hospital and the New Orleans Health Department. Click here to request your lock from Children's Hospital.
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