The accidental shooting death of a 13-year-old Hendersonville youth in May 1995 prompted Mayor R.J. "Hank" Thompson to implement a program that makes a free trigger lock available to every family in his City. In recognition of the need to promote gun safety in the home, the Mayor's program also includes an annual course on gun safety taught by the Hendersonville Police Department.

Funding for the City's purchase of the trigger locks was provided initially by the Mayor's Teen Board, a group of approximately 30 students representing Hendersonville's high schools and middle schools, and the first 50 locks purchased were quickly acquired by City residents.

In 1996, when a 12-year-old youth was accidentally shot while playing with a 12-gauge shotgun, Mayor Thompson successfully sought additional support for his trigger lock program from local civic organizations. The Mayor also displayed a trigger lock on a 12-gauge shotgun at a meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Televised on the City's cable network, the Mayor's presentation elicited a strong viewer response in support of trigger locks.

A short time later, a third incident - the suicide of a 13-year-old - added impetus to the Mayor's program. More trigger locks were purchased, and the Mayor or an Alderman attended Parent-Teacher Organization meetings held in schools throughout the City, explaining the program and making the trigger locks available to those in attendance.

To date, through the Mayor's program, more than 700 trigger locks have been provided to Hendersonville households. A recent letter from Mayor Thompson to Tennessee mayors challenged all cities in the state to give away at least 100 trigger locks by July 1 of this year.

"Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a tragedy for the public to become aware of the danger of unguarded firearms," says Mayor Thompson. "If one life can be saved by the locks which are given away, the program is successful."