Federal Grant Funds Hopkins' Gun Lock Distribution in Baltimore

The $245,000 grant aims to promote safe firearm storage and prevent child gun deaths.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:13pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a gun lock against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the importance of secure firearm storage.A gun lock photographed in stark relief, underscoring the critical need for secure firearm storage to protect children.Baltimore Today

Johns Hopkins University has received a $245,000 federal grant to fund the Johns Hopkins Safe Storage Project, an initiative focused on distributing gun locks throughout Baltimore. Experts cite gun violence as the leading cause of death for American children, and safe storage is seen as one of the best prevention tools.

Why it matters

The project aims to reduce incidents where young people find and play with unsecured firearms, which can lead to accidental shootings and tragedies. This effort comes amid growing concerns over unsecured guns in homes and a push for stricter laws around safe storage.

The details

As part of the Johns Hopkins Safe Storage Project, the university's hospital and children's center will be distributing the gun locks across Baltimore. U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume emphasized that when young people find unsecured weapons, 'there's usually an incident that takes place' - whether at home or at school. This issue was highlighted recently when an Anne Arundel County elementary student accidentally shot themselves after bringing a firearm to school.

  • The $245,000 federal grant was awarded to Johns Hopkins University in March 2026.
  • Last month, an incident occurred where an Anne Arundel County elementary student brought a firearm to school and accidentally shot themselves.

The players

Johns Hopkins University

The recipient of a $245,000 federal grant to fund the Johns Hopkins Safe Storage Project, which aims to distribute gun locks throughout Baltimore.

U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume

A Democratic congressman representing Maryland's 7th district, who emphasized the importance of safe firearm storage to prevent incidents where young people access unsecured weapons.

Ny'Kayla Strawder Act

A bill under consideration that would stiffen penalties for leaving an unsecured weapon where a child can access it.

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What they’re saying

“What we've seen over and over again is that young people find weapons. And when they find them, they play with them. And when they play with them, there's usually an incident that takes place. So, whether they're playing with them at home or taking them to school, those sorts of things can be reduced.”

— U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Democratic Congressman, Maryland's 7th District

What’s next

A bill known as the Ny'Kayla Strawder Act, which would stiffen penalties for leaving unsecured firearms accessible to children, is currently under consideration.

The takeaway

This federal grant-funded initiative by Johns Hopkins University highlights the critical need to promote safe firearm storage and prevent child gun deaths, which remain a leading cause of mortality in the United States. By distributing gun locks across Baltimore, the project aims to reduce the number of incidents where young people access unsecured weapons, a problem that has had tragic consequences in local communities.