- Gun owners are an important part of the solution when it comes to preventing suicide. Gun owner groups often have a strong culture around firearm safety, protecting the family, and friends-helping-friends. These values dovetail well with suicide prevention. It is a natural fit for groups that have worked hard to prevent the 500 or so unintentional shooting deaths that occur in the US each year to take on the 26,000 firearm suicides. In recent years, many gun owner groups have already begun. The Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition released a PSA promoting safe storage for suicide prevention.
The Utah Department of Public Safety and the Utah Department of Human Services created a video covering suicide prevention basics for individuals renewing a concealed carry permit.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to create a Suicide Prevention Toolkit that aids firearm retailers, shooting range operators, and customers to understand the risk factors and warning signs related to suicide.
The Second Amendment Foundation worked with Washington State lawmakers to pass the Suicide Awareness and prevention Education for Safer Homes Act that advocates for suicide prevention rather than gun control.
Hold My Guns helps to connect responsible firearm owners with voluntary, private off-site storage options during times of a mental health crisis or other personal need
Overwatch Project uses a “friends don’t let friends drive drunk” approach to suicide prevention among veterans, encouraging open communication surrounding mental health.
Mental Health America of Texas has created the Suicide Safer Home app to provider practical tips for concerned parents and adult family members to keep families safe
Washington Safer Homes Coalition shares information with communities on the role of firearms and medications in suicideFirearm news coverage:
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