Over half of all suicide deaths in the U.S. occur with a firearm. Yet we know there are measures that can reduce the risk of suicide for someone in crisis. One of the most impactful ways we can help prevent firearm suicide is by reaching more firearms owners and ensuring they are educated on how they can prevent suicide in homes and in their communities.
While more than 60% of firearms owners in the U.S. have received formal instruction in safety, most firearms courses to date do not include suicide prevention in their curriculum. With this in mind, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has launched its Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Firearms Instructors. A free, scripted slide deck, the toolkit enables firearms instructors to share important, evidence-based information on how firearms owners can incorporate safe storage and other practices to make suicide prevention a core tenet of firearms safety.
Learn more about the Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Firearms Instructors, and AFSP’s efforts in firearms and suicide prevention.
