The Travis County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 adopted a proclamation recognizing August 2025 as Gun Safety Awareness Month and heard from local violence-prevention groups about distribution plans for gun locks and a children’s safety graphic novel.

Judge Andy Brown read the proclamation, which cites national and Texas statistics on youth firearm injuries and unintentional shootings and urges safe storage practices. The court approved the proclamation on a motion from Commissioner Shea, seconded by Commissioner Trevillian, and it passed unanimously.

Kim Caldwell of Lock Arms for Life described a bilingual children’s graphic novel and a pledge card that teach children the messaging “stop, don’t touch, walk away, get an adult.” The group said Austin Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention funded initial printing; organizers said about 1,000 copies have been printed and additional print runs are planned, with 2,000–4,000 copies targeted for distribution in Travis County through community partners and libraries.

Michelle Miles and Henry Aguede from the county Office of Violence Prevention described plans to mail gun locks to residents who request them and to work through schools, after-school programs and community partners to reach families. Captain Trevor Stokes (ESD) and other emergency-services representatives said they will incorporate the materials into community risk-reduction outreach.

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Court members and staff encouraged collaboration with school districts, libraries and after-school programs to distribute locks and materials; Lock Arms for Life said residents can request a free lock via lockarmsforlife.org and county staff said they can supply bulk locks for community events.