Long Beach residents lined up early to get a free firearm safe from the city’s health department on Tuesday morning, Aug. 4.
The health department distributed 200 free firearm safes across three locations as part of an effort to prevent firearm-related injuries, reduce unauthorized access to firearms, protect children and prevent firearm theft, according to a press release.
City residents receive free firearm safes on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at the Department of Heath and Human Services in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Violence prevention program manager Teil Samuels, right, hands out free firearm safes to city residents on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at the Department of Heath and Human Services in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Long Beach Department of Heath and Human Services distributes firearm safes to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, to help prevent firearm-related injuries. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
City residents line up to receive a free firearm safe on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at the department of heath and human services in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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City residents receive free firearm safes on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at the Department of Heath and Human Services in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The initiative returned for a second year after strong community participation during the city’s first distribution program last year, city officials said.
On Tuesday, after residents picked up their free safe, they were also given educational materials on responsible firearms storage and safety. To help prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths, the health department encourages parents and caregivers to follow the “Everytown for Gun Safety Be SMART” framework for responsible firearm storage and safety.