Russell Lemle is Senior Policy Analyst, Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco. Correspondence: Russell Lemle (russelllemle@comcast.net)
Author disclosures The author reports he was a consultant for the PREVENTS workgroup and no other potential conflicts of interest with regard to this article.
Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Federal Practitioner, Frontline Medical Communications Inc., the US Government, or any of its agencies.
Recommended Actions to Further Promote Safe Storage
Develop Campaigns to Shift Cultural Norms for Firearm Storage During Crises
National campaigns have been shown to be highly effective in changing injurious behaviors. Alliances and resources with regard to lethal means safety could be assembled, including federal funds for a campaign to shift social norms for firearm storage conversations and behaviors during crises. This campaign should be modeled after the “friends don’t let friends drive drunk” and “designated driver” campaigns that empower family and friends to protect one another. Since those campaigns’ inception in 1982, two-thirds of Americans have tried to prevent someone from driving after drinking,and traffic deaths involving alcohol-impaired crashes have decreased 65%.55,56
The comparable lethal means safety enterprise would encourage friends and family to talk with those in crisis about storing firearms safely. The campaign must use spokespersons who have strong respect and credibility among firearm owners, such as the NSSF and the United States Concealed Carry Association who have developed firearm suicide prevention websites and videos.57,58
The emphasis is that it’s a personal strength—not a failing—to talk to friends, loved ones, or counselors about storing guns until a crisis passes. Some of the current phrasing includes: “Hey, let me hold your guns for a while,” “People who love guns, love you,” and “Have a brave conversation.” 59-61
The national campaign should attempt to correct the inaccurate beliefs that suicide death always is the result of mental illness and is inevitable once seriously contemplated. In fact, more than half of the individuals who die by suicide have no diagnosed mental health condition.62 Other crises, such as with finances, relationships, or physical health, might be more contributory. These myths about suicide and mental illness weaken public and policy maker interest in solutions aimed toward accessing lethal means.
Facilitate Temporary Storage Out of the Home
The PREVENTS Roadmap Supplemental Materials concluded, “Moving firearms out of the home is generally cited as the safest, most desirable option; this can include storage with another person or at a location like a firearm range, armory, pawn shop, self-storage unit, or law enforcement agency, although state laws for firearm transfers may affect what options are legal.”63 This goal could be achieved by establishing grants to gun shops and ranges to offer free lockers for voluntary safe harbor.
The creation of free community lockers was a top PREVENTS recommendation. Likewise, the congressionally chartered COVER (Creating Options for Veterans' Expedited Recovery) Commission recommended grants “to further support the development of voluntary firearm safe storage options across the country.”64 Federal and state grants might resolve hesitations cited by retailers by covering all expenses for lockers, labor, and insurance for theft/damage/liability.65,66 Locker use would be free to the user, eliminating all financial barriers, although it is unknown whether monetary incentives change storage behaviors. Many firearm owners report that private gun shops or ranges are more acceptable than police stations for storage. If retailers come on board, changes in cultural storage norms might be expedited. An additional benefit could be reduction of accidental firearm fatalities in the home. States that have legal impediments to returning firearms to their owners could modify laws to achieve popular acceptance.
Congress could consider funding a national, easily accessible, public online directory of locations for out-of-home firearm storage, with staff to update the site. Colorado, Maryland, and Washington have developed online maps showing locations of firearm outlets and law enforcement agencies willing to consider temporary storage.67 A site directory for every state would simplify the process for individuals and family members seeking to temporarily and voluntarily store guns offsite during a crisis. Online directories have been backed by firearm groups,although their effect on storage behavior is not known.68State governments should strive to make it easier to quickly transfer firearms temporarily to trusted individuals in situations of imminent suicide risk. Rapid transfer of firearms to friends or family could effectively separate lethal means from individuals during a crisis. However, some state laws that require background checks whenever a gun is transferred might delay such transfers.69 Only a few states have legal exemptions that could expedite temporary transfers when it’s potentially lifesaving.
