NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee’s Child Fatality 2024 annual report found firearms were the top non-medical cause of death among children across the state. The 2023 report also found guns to be the leading cause of child death in the state.
That’s why Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt searched for a solution: encouraging families to lock up their guns. The hospital offers free gun locks for everyone who walks through their doors.
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“Right next to the elevator right before you walk in — not in a true patient care area — was the best opportunity,” Kelsey Gastineau, MD, MPH, assistant professor of Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt said, explaining the placement of the free gun locks. “Patients can come in, identify the need and then meet that need in a judgment-free capacity.”
Gastineau explained Tennessee consistently ranks highly for unintentional shootings by children.
“We know that as pediatricians, it’s absolutely our role and our responsibility to help families understand that risk and then securely store their firearms to help children stay safe in the home,” Gastineau added.
The locks are sourced from a variety of partnerships with state agencies and are available at the following locations:
- All floors of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
- The Emergency Department
- Shade Tree Clinic
- The seventh floor of the General Surgery Clinic
- The Psychology consult service for Developmental Medicine on DOT 10
“It’s awful. It’s emotionally draining and uniquely traumatizing for our staff, especially because there are all sorts of the things that bring kids to the hospital,” said Gastineau. “The difference with firearm injuries is that they are preventable. That’s why we really wanted to bring this program to the entire hospital.”
The hospital launched ‘Locks for Children’s Safety’ in Sept. 2024, and as of publication, more than 3,000 gun locks have been distributed. The program offers free gun locks — no questions asked. The hospital is continuing to explore storage device options for families in hopes of making each home safer for children. They are also looking at other locations throughout the facility to serve families best.
“Pediatricians are committed to firearm prevention and we are committed to prevention and that is not a 9-5 job, that is a 24/7,” Gastineau said.
The hospital is taking donations for those who would like to contribute to the gun lock program and continue its success. To learn how to give, reach out to [email protected].
