Lock It Up Program Manager Karyn Brownson Discusses Essential Gun Safety on The Pop-Up!
In a recent episode of The Pop-Up, host Omari Salisbury sat down with Karyn Brownson, the program manager for Seattle and King County’s Lock It Up Program, to discuss the role of safe firearm storage in community safety. Her appearance was part of "Together We End Gun Violence" week, in partnership with the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Beyond Data: The Human Impact
Brownson emphasized that while data is vital, it must always be paired with human stories to effectively reach policymakers and the public. She shared a personal connection to the issue, noting that her own family has been impacted by both homicide and suicide involving firearms. This perspective, she said, fuels her philosophy that everyone, from government employees to everyday citizens, has a role to play in ending gun violence.
The Expansion of "Lock It Up"
The Lock It Up program, which has existed since the late 1990s, recently underwent a major statewide expansion. Thanks to resources from the Washington State Department of Commerce, Brownson is now working with health departments and community violence intervention groups across the state.
At its core, the program focuses on two things:
Education: Informing the public on the necessity of locking up firearms when not in use.
Distribution: Providing free lock boxes to gun owners to facilitate responsible storage.
Closing the "Gun Pipeline"
Brownson directly addressed skeptics who might view lockbox giveaways as "gimmicky" by highlighting local theft statistics. In 2023, King County saw over 890 gun thefts, with 40% occurring from vehicles, she said. She explained that these stolen weapons are often funneled into community violence. By using a vehicle-secured lock box—which Brownson demonstrated on-air—owners can effectively stop this "gun pipeline.”
A Cultural Shift in Safety
Reflecting on the evolution of her work over the past few years, Brownson noted a significant cultural shift. While safe storage was once a controversial topic often met with resistance, she observed that it is now a common, openly discussed practice.
"You are not powerless," Brownson said directly to the audience, "And you can be involved in solving the problem of gun violence in our communities.”
Learn more about the Lock It Up Program here.
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