Related Projects

Over the past two years, a record number of firearms have been purchased and traded at gun shows, many by first-time gun owners. Gun shows are a perfect place to raise awareness about the problem of firearm suicide and to promote secure firearm storage as a suicide prevention strategy.

There are as many as five gun shows per month in Louisiana. We are partnering with gun show vendors to create a presence for The Armory Project, starting with the gun show in the New Orleans area. We also advise other suicide prevention advocates and volunteers to conduct similar outreach at gun shows across the state.

Firearm suicide accounts for 44% of all Louisiana firearm-related deaths. Veterans represent about 14% of annual suicides in Louisiana and use a firearm in ~82% of such cases. Despite these trends, suicide prevention is not often discussed openly among firearm owners and veterans. Following the lead of Utah’s firearm community, our research team developed a brief video and slide deck that introduces concepts of firearm safety for suicide prevention.

Saving Lives Together is a project that includes firearm instructors who lead concealed carry classes. These partners are certified instructors who have agreed to help spread awareness at a critical juncture – when responsible firearm owners are seeking firearm training. Our brief learning module increases awareness of the importance of secure firearm storage to prevent suicide and serves as a resource for Louisiana firearm instructors to share with their students.

We conducted a nationwide research study on preventing Veteran and caregiver suicides with two objectives: 1) to understand how caregivers think about secure firearm storage messaging & practices; and 2) to learn from caregivers about the best ways to promote secure firearm storage to prevent suicides.

We are listening to rural families and caregivers to learn how suicide prevention efforts can better serve their needs while engaging liaisons and advocates in the conversation to prevent firearm suicides. This initiative is important because of the unique circumstances of rural families and caregivers.