188 gun safes given away at Federal Way Police Department

Published 1:30 am Sunday, October 12, 2025

The Federal Way Police Department gave away 188 gun safes, capping off its giveaways funded by a $150,000 grant fund for gun violence prevention.

The Oct. 1 event’s funds come from a settlement between the Attorney General’s office and a Federal Way gun retailer that violated state law. The department utilized the grant funds for two gun safe giveaways and one gun buyback.

Federal Way Police Department (FWPD) Cmdr. Kyle Buchanan said any Washington state resident was eligible to receive a safe. Additionally, according to the department, people had to be at least 18 years old to receive a safe and the safe’s brand was Vaultek. He said he was not at the most recent event, but the social media responses regarding the event have been positive.

Buchanan said that if the department is awarded a similar grant in the future, the department will likely explore the possibility of hosting another event.

“Public safety is enhanced when firearms are kept out of the hands of those that should not have them,” Buchanan said. “Unsecured firearms are a target for thieves and can be used to hurt people if they are accessed by children or vulnerable adults.”