Lexington health department reports 1,000 free gun locks distributed under Lock It Lex program, orders 3,000 more

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department said Tuesday that its Lock It Lex program has distributed 1,000 free gun locks to residents since the initiative began in March. Officials said the program is part of ongoing efforts to encourage firearm safety through the distribution of locking devices.

According to the department’s update, the program reached the 1,000-lock milestone after starting the distribution in March, when the health department began making the locks available through the public-facing program. The department did not cite any separate eligibility requirements in its announcement, focusing instead on the number of locks handed out to date.

The health department also said it has ordered an additional 3,000 gun locks to continue the distribution. The new order is intended to extend the program’s capacity as demand continues, the department said in its report of the latest progress.

Lock It Lex’s figures place the program’s early distribution at roughly one lock for every day since the March start, using only the 1,000 total and the month-and-year launch described by the department. The update did not provide breakdowns by neighborhood, delivery method, or how many residents requested locks beyond those fulfilled.

The health department framed the program as a practical public safety measure that provides physical safety equipment to residents. By distributing locking devices, the initiative seeks to reduce the risk of unsafe firearm storage in homes where residents may keep firearms accessible.

With 1,000 locks already distributed and 3,000 more ordered, the department said it will continue operating the program as the new shipment moves through distribution. Officials did not specify a delivery date for the additional locks in the announcement.

Local residents looking for the locks are expected to follow the health department’s program guidance as it continues beyond the initial March rollout, with the next phase supported by the 3,000-lock order.

The department’s update did not include cost figures or details on the manufacturer or funding source for the locks, focusing instead on milestones and the next procurement step. The department’s public communications will likely provide additional details as the additional locks arrive and are distributed.