Government: County’s Behavioral Health encourages safely storing guns to save lives

Campaign focuses on middle-aged men, who make up a higher number of suicides by firearms

By Staff Report

Safely storing guns can help prevent tragedies, including suicides.

In the moment of a mental health crisis, more time and space between a person and a gun can make all the difference. Taking a few moments to safely store firearms can give a person acting on impulse time to change their mind and get the help they need.

Recognizing that suicide is impulsive and preventable, the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department launched a community awareness effort to encourage the safe storage of guns. The primary audience is middle-aged men, who account for higher numbers of suicides by firearm.

“I don’t leave my chainsaw lying around so someone could pick it up and hurt themselves, and I wouldn’t leave my gun lying around for the same reason,” said Pete, a local gun owner. “When someone has suicidal thoughts, they may be fleeting thoughts. The few moments of the additional time it takes to spin the dial on the safe could be all that is needed. Safely storing guns could save a life.”

Free firearm safety kits are available through Project Child Safe (www.stepoutside.org/san-jose-ca/), a program from the National Shooting Sports Foundation to promote firearm safety and education. Also, veterans can get free gun locks by request at any Veterans Administration location.

Launched Dec. 6, this comprehensive effort from the BHSD’s Suicide Prevention Program encourages safe firearm storage to help prevent suicide.

To speak with a spokesperson from the Behavioral Health Department, please contact Joy Alexiou at 408.595.2936 (cell) or 408.885.4164 (office).

Safely Storing Your Guns

Suicide is impulsive. In a moment of crisis, time and space between you and a gun can make all the difference. Quick access to guns during tough times can lead to decisions resulting in harm or death. To prevent these, there are plenty of tools you can use to practice safe storage.

Learn Key Ways to Be Gun Safe

The 11 Commandments of Gun Safety brochure includes different firearm safety options to protect you and your loved ones. Included are ways you can temporarily store firearms outside of the home. Safe Firearm Storage Matters from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has additional helpful information for Veterans.

Find a Free Firearm Safety Kit

Free firearm safety kits are available upon request at many locations throughout Santa Clara County through Project ChildSafe. The program is a National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) initiative to promote firearm safety and education. Find a location close to you.

Learn More about Firearms and Suicide Prevention

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Firearms and Suicide Prevention is a detailed webpage providing information on the relationship between suicide and firearms, extra steps to prevent firearm suicide, and how to cope with loss of a loved one to gun suicide. The page also includes gun suicide research, suicide risk factors and warning signs, resources to provide help, and reminders on how to stay safe.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Means Matter is a suicide prevention campaign aimed at promoting reduction of access to lethal means for suicide. The page contains research, information and FAQs, resources, and ways to promote means reduction to help prevent suicide.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means is a webpage with helpful brochures, fact sheets, and tip sheets on how to reduce suicide risk through safe storage at home, firearm safety, and more.