Hopkins, Pratt Library launch gun lock program in Baltimore. A new partnership is offering gun locks and gun safes to Baltimore residents. Johns Hopkins University and the Enoch Pratt Free Library on Tuesday announced the launch of the Safe Firearm Storage program. Dr. Joseph Sakran, a Johns Hopkins Medicine trauma surgeon who is also a survivor of a shooting when he was 17, reflected on what this program means to help prevent unintentional firearm injuries, suicides and gun violence. "That was the worst day of my life, but it was also the most important one. Having been on that side of the table, I understand what it's like when I have to walk out and talk to these moms and dads and explain to them that their child is never coming home again," Sakran said. "Here's what I've learned from both sides: By the time a patient reaches my table, we have already lost our chance. The trauma bay is where prevention has run out. So, the real work, the work that actually saves lives happens upstream in living rooms and kitchen drawers and closets long before anyone calls 911. That's what today is about." The mayor said the program is about pushing for responsible gun ownership. "I encourage everyone who has a firearm, especially those who have young people in the household or who may visit their household, to take advantage of this resource that we're talking about today, gun locks," Mayor Brandon Scott said. The locks and boxes will become available for free across all Enoch Pratt Free Library branches. "This is at the Pratt because everyone in the city goes to the Pratt Library. The Pratt Library is the most uniquely safe place for any Baltimorean," Scott said. I have never met someone in Baltimore, in the 42 years that I've been living here, that does not like the Pratt Library." "When you think about, 'Why the library?' Because the Pratt is already where Baltimore goes. No appointment, no eligibility screening, no one asking you why you're there," Sakran said. "A resident can pick up a lock the same way they pick up a book - quietly, on their own terms and without explaining themselves to anyone." "It's not just important in Baltimore, it's everywhere across the country," said U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-District 7, who sponsored the federal earmark to fund this program. "What you're seeing today is one type of solution to prevent injury and damage in our communities," Sakran said. Baltimore City isn't the only jurisdiction to offer free locks and gun safes. Programs are also in effect at libraries in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties.

Jamar R. Brown takes helm of Enoch Pratt Free Library boards. By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer [email protected] Baltimore-based attorney Jamar R. Brown took over as the chair of the board of trustees and board of directors for the Enoch Pratt Free Library (EPFL) on July 1. Brown has been a member of EPFL's boards since 2020, including most recently serving as vice chair of the board of directors. As chair, Brown will help oversee the governance and strategic direction of the library system, which encompasses 23 branches and two technology labs. He called the appointment an honor. "The Pratt is one of Baltimore's most cherished civic institutions, and I've been inspired by its impact as a community hub for learning, social resources and culture," said Brown. "It is a great personal and professional privilege to help steward this institution and advance its mission. Ultimately, I view this as an opportunity to serve the community." Brown, a seasoned trial lawyer and appellate advocate, serves as a partner at Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, a business law firm located in downtown Baltimore. As a litigator, he said effective communication and advocacy have been cornerstones of his career. He plans to draw on those skills in his leadership at EPFL, particularly as he works to engage stakeholders and build support for the library system. Brown's current term will span three years. "Jamar is an outstanding leader, and I have every confidence that he will guide the board with insight, integrity and enthusiasm," said Christine Espenshade, immediate past chair of EPFL's boards. In recent years, EPFL has navigated several transitions, including the appointment of a new CEO and president in September 2024 and the ratification of the system's first-ever union contract in August 2025. As the library continues to evolve, Brown said the boards' top priorities include: strengthening and expanding partnerships with city and state leaders, securing capital to address aging infrastructure and enhance safety across branches, and bolstering support for staff to ensure they can effectively serve the community. For Brown, EPFL's biggest areas of opportunity lie in deepening its role as a civic institution and connecting more Baltimore residents with the library system's free resources, services and programs. "In the years ahead, I hope to work to ensure that the Pratt has the resources to continue to innovate to respond to ever-changing political, social and financial landscapes," said Brown. "To me that primarily means developing a strong but broad coalition of people - both internally and externally - who are committed to and invested in Pratt's rich legacy."