Leesa Ross shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Leesa , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I’ve been an empty nester for a while now (my youngest is 31) so mornings usually start with coffee and a walk with my husband and our golden retriever, Ali. By the time I head down the hall to my home office, I’ve already glanced at my emails, but that’s when I sit at my desktop and dig into the real work of emails, planning safe-storage events, and connecting with schools and partners.
My office reflects both my personal life and my mission. Pictures of my boys are everywhere: on my desk, on the bookcase… and next to them are pieces of Lock Arms for Life: our graphic novel, a bandana, a fanny pack, my memoir. Jonathan’s bookcase stands behind me, filled with his favorite authors: Tolkien, Anne Rice, Shakespeare, constant reminders of who he was and why I do this work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Leesa Ross, and I’m the founder and Executive Director of Lock Arms for Life, a nonprofit based in Texas, with a mission to reduce firearm-related tragedies through safe storage education. My story and our organization were born out of personal loss. In 2009, my son Jon died in a gun incident, and ever since, I’ve worked to make sure other families don’t experience that kind of heartbreak.
What makes our organization unique is our approach: we don’t take a political stance. We treat gun safety the same way we treat other public safety measures—like life vests for drowning prevention or car seats for children. Instead of telling families what not to do, we provide them with solutions. We distribute free gun locks and lock boxes, develop resources for parents, and even created a children’s graphic novel, “Save the Day, Lock it Away”, which teaches kids how to be safe around firearms.
Right now, we’re working on expanding our outreach in schools, hospitals, and community events, while also producing public service announcements to reach families in a way that feels relatable and empowering. For me, every piece of work—whether it’s handing out a lock, giving a presentation, or sharing Jon’s story—is another step toward saving a life.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that changed everything for me was the death of my son, Jonathan. In an instant, I began to see the world differently. I often compare it to tennis, a game I played for years and there’s always a net dividing one side from the other. After Jon’s death, I saw that same divide in the gun debate: gun owners on one side, anti-gun voices on the other. I found myself in the middle, believing in rights but also in responsibility. That loss gave me a new lens on life and led me to dedicate myself to safe storage, education, and bridging divides rather than deepening them.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I think about that every day. Can I walk away? At some point my age will make me stop or I’ll need to pass my organization on. My funding could dry up, too. The Office of Violence Prevention could close and without support from OVP, it would be hard to keep going. But I know exactly what would let me step away with peace: if tragedies truly went down and every gun was locked and secured.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
By turning gun safety into division and lectures. Most parents want the same thing: kids who are safe. But I don’t live in everyone’s home and I can’t pretend to know what’s best for every family. What I can do is listen, offer the safest options for storage, and trust people to make the right choices. Instead of villainizing, we need to empower.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That’s a good question. I think about the things my son Jon left behind, especially his poetry, his artwork, the books he loved. I treasure them, though I wonder sometimes if his siblings or anyone else will value them the same way. I imagine my legacy may be similar. I’m not famous, and there are countless founders who came before me whose names I don’t even know. But if people remember me at all, I hope it’s as a mom who turned heartbreak into purpose, who worked to save lives by helping families lock up their guns and keep their kids safe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lockarmsforlife.org
- Instagram: @lockarmsforlife
- Linkedin: @lockarmsforlife
- Facebook: @lockarmsforlife
- Youtube: @lockarmsforlife
Image Credits
1. Feature photo: me to left and Rep. Goodwin to the right, and families at our annual Austin Public Safety Fair. Lock Arms for Life hosts in collaboration with the Austin Police Department, the Austin Police Association, and Safe Kids Austin.
Not in exact order:
2. in photo is 2 Austin Police Department officers holding our graphic novel, Save the Day, Lock it Away.
3. Photo of the police chief and kids: Chief Henderson is at a back to school to event and is giving away school supplies, plus our graphic novel.
4. Presentation at Pickle Elementary by school library, Anita Sigler and Rita Howard who lost her niece to gun tragedy.
5. Picture of me at a Mission Capital event.
6. Picture of our graphic novels, Save the Day, Lock it Away.
I can’t remember if there’s more but let me know and I can provide details.
