MINNEAPOLIS — The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is handing out free gun locks to give firearms owners an additional level of safety when storing their guns.

A gun lock is a cable-style device that helps prevent unauthorized access to a firearm. A cable lock requires that many types of firearms be unloaded before installation — providing an extra level of safety.

The gun locks will be available today at the Sheriff’s Office open house at its Enforcement Services Division in Brooklyn Park. The event features demonstrations from K9s, the Dive Team, Crime Lab and other divisions.

The locks will be available while supplies last. They are provided by Project ChildSafe.

Sheriff Rich Stanek says safe weapon storage is particularly important in households where children live or visit.