Congressman Dan Kildee Promotes Public Safety, Distributes Free Gun Locks to Saginaw Residents

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today distributed free gun locks to residents of the Fifth Congressional District as part of a collaborative effort with local, state and federal law enforcement officials to make Saginaw and other mid-Michigan communities safer. At the event, Congressman Kildee was joined by Al Jakubowski, Resident Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Division, Saginaw Police Chief Brian Lipe, and Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel.

“I’m proud to partner with local, state and federal law enforcement officials to provide free gun locks to Saginaw and mid-Michigan residents. Securing firearms in homes will help to reduce instances of violence and decrease gun thefts in our community. While gun locks will not solve all crime, they are one positive way that we can make our neighborhoods stronger and safer for everyone,” Congressman Kildee said.

“ATF is pleased to be a part of this initiative to enhance public safety by providing gun locks to the citizens of the Saginaw area,” said Steven Bogdalek, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division.

The gun locks, provided by the ATF, were distributed to local-area residents at the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office. At the gun lock giveaway, Congressman Kildee also discussed his work in Congress to secure more federal funding for law enforcement.

On February 19, Congressman Kildee announced a package of bills aimed at reducing violent crime and creating new opportunities for youth that would address systemic drivers of violence in cities like Saginaw. One bill, the Help Communities Fight Violent Crime Act, would provide an additional $25 million per year for the ATF to conduct surge programs that have proven successful in getting criminals off the streets and rooting out violent crime.