DENVER (CBS4) – The Denver Police Department, in partnership with local faith-based organizations and Project Child Safe, will hand out 1,200 gun locks free of charge. Mayor Michael Hancock announced the initiative on Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Denver.

Police Chief Pail Pazen told CBS4 gun theft across the city and county of Denver is on the decline in recent years. However, nearly 2,000 guns have still been reported stolen in the last three years. Pazen hoped the free gun locks would help drop that number in the years to come.

“It is a great way to keep illegal guns out of the hands of young people,” Pazen said. “(Gun theft) is something that is 100% preventable.”

Members of Denver’s Safe Haven initiative along with the Christian Riders will help distribute the gun locks.