The state and county governments will give out 50,000 free gun locks under the national Project ChildSafe firearm safety program, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said yesterday.

"Our objective is to promote firearm safety at the community level," Aiona said. "Owning a firearm comes with the responsibility of taking the proper safety precautions to prevent accidents, especially when it comes to children."

Aiona said each county will designate distribution sites. The lieutenant governor's office will distribute the locks for now. People interested in obtaining a free gun lock should call 586-0255.

Honolulu Police Department Maj. Debora Tandal said there are about a million registered guns in the state. "HPD won't be passing out locks, but is in full support of the program," Tandal said.

Pearl City resident Jane Yamasaki said he felt the initiative was important. "We need these things in the community," said Yamasaki, a retired banker.

Project ChildSafe has distributed 30 million locks nationwide since with a $50 million grant from the Department of Justice.