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'We have to be safer:' Jones County Sheriff's Office provides 100 free gun locks after toddler shooting

A 5-year-old sibling accidentally shot the 2-year-old with a loaded gun that was left unattended.

MACON, Ga. — The Jones County community is still mourning the loss of a toddler who was accidentally shot last week. The Jones County Sheriffs Office says the 2-year-old and his 5-year-old brother were playing with a loaded gun they found on the living room table. The gun discharged and shot the toddler in the head.

RELATED: Jones County toddler dies after being shot in the head, man charged with reckless conduct

After several days in critical condition at the Medical Center, Navicent Health, he died last Friday. The sheriff's office says the boy's uncle, 18-year-old Darius Johnson, left the gun unattended and is charged with reckless conduct. 

Charles Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, and the Jones County Sheriff's Office are taking steps to prevents tragedies like that one from happening again.

They are working together to provide free gun locks for the public. On Wednesday, Sheriff Butch Reese had 100 free gun locks available. 

Shenell Glover says she's glad the sheriff's office has a resource for people to secure their guns after the accidental shooting.

"It could be like anyone of my sisters or brothers, so I thought that was awful," said Glover.

Investigator John Simmons with the sheriff's office says each gun lock kit comes with the lock, a pair of keys, and instructions. He suggests keeping the magazine of bullets outside the gun, even if it's locked. He says to put the keys in a safe place away from children.

"Losing a family member or something like that would be detrimental, and you don't want to let something so small cause you so much pain," said Simmons. 

The public can walk into the sheriff's office and ask for a lock. Investigator Simmons says you don't have to live in the county to receive one. 

"It can be used on pistols and shotguns or rifles," said Simmons. 

Glover says she hopes people take advantage of the free locks and do their part to secure guns. 

"We have to be safer and keep our guns in a safe place. It doesn't matter if it's a lock box or anything, so I think this idea will be great," said Glover. 

RELATED: Jones County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Attorney giving away free gun locks

Simmons says the sheriff's office will order more gun locks as needed. Jones County is not the only place you can get a free gun lock. They are also available at the Bibb County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff's South Substation on Houston Road. 

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