I attended a panel discussion titled “New Efforts in the Industry’s Fight to Reduce Suicide” at this year’s SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) Show in Las Vegas, sponsored by SHOT Show University.
According to the description of this seminar, from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), “FFLs and shooting ranges are among the most important partners in the firearm industry’s efforts to educate FFL and shooting range staff and customers on how to prevent suicide. NSSF and its partners have made significant progress in building awareness on this topic, particularly by using the NSSF-AFSP suicide prevention toolkit. Our focus now is to build an even bigger team to reach more gun owners and their families with knowledge that can save lives. That includes understanding warning signs, how to reach out to someone who’s struggling, how to connect people to care and emphasizing secure firearm storage. New efforts in the fight against suicide that can benefit FFLs will be discussed.”
Panel participants included Dr. Russell Lemle, Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute; Dr. Gala True, The Armory Project; Caleb Morse, combat veteran and FFL owner – The Rustic Renegade; Ryan Price, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; and Waco Hoover, The American Legion’s ‘Be The One.’
First of all, kudos to the NSSF for assembling these heavy hitters and impressive authorities on the subject. They came armed with stats and evidence of an endemic problem in this country, particularly with veterans and suicide. More than two-thirds of all suicide deaths in this country include using a firearm. Also, more than 131,000 veterans have died by suicide following this country’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bill Brassard, Senior Director of Communications at the NSSF, moderated the panel.
Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute
Dr. Lemle started the discussion by pointing out that studies show that committing suicide is generally caused by a feeling of being overwhelmed, as opposed to a drawn-out planning period. He believes that the industry has adopted a concern that the medical industry cannot be the only ones to help people who want to commit suicide, given the short amount of time between making the decision and committing the act.
Next, True – the co-founder and co-director of The Armory Project (TAP), a Veterans Administration (VA) funded collaboration between suicide prevention advocates, researchers and people in the firearms industry (including retailers, distributers and instructors) – talked about the program. Its mission is to help prevent firearms suicides by facilitating safe, voluntary, out-of-home firearms storage with trusted firearms dealers and other vetted partners in local communities. TAP started in 2021 in the state of Louisiana and is looking to expand nationwide to gun shop owners, military bases, ranges, sporting goods stores and others. Its partners not only provide safe storage during a crisis period, but also, suicide prevention resources to people.
True noted that a major concern of businesses who participate in TAP is the possibility for civil liability surrounding what could happen after storing firearms for someone who then, later, goes on to commit a crime or a suicide. Through legislative efforts, working with True and Morse, Louisiana passed a law, “A Good Samaritan Law,” regarding the TAP program. As a result of this legislation, True said the TAP program increased from three to 21 FFLs in the state. Montana already has passed similar legislation.
TAP retailers train staff members on mental health and suicide prevention, how to talk to customers about temporary, voluntary firearm storage and where to find mental health resources through the VA or the local community to share. Brochures about TAP are located near cash registers and in flyers throughout the stores, making it clear about how firearms will be stored and how the firearms will be returned
Arkansas has recently signed on, and has three FFL partners so far, and future legislation is in the works regarding civil liability.
True says TAP is able to provide a free consultation service to any states looking to join the organization.
Morse spoke after True. As a former combat veteran, he knows firsthand about the tragedy of suicide among fellow soldiers. A gun store owner, Morse was one of the first people to work with TAP. He already was doing a program like this one on his own in his community, and was one of the founders of TAP.
He said to date his business, The Rustic Renegade, located in Lafayette, Louisiana, has stored about 600 guns. He said he became aware of the need to store firearms for people when his buddy who served with him dropped off guns for him to store, and told Morse, “I don’t need them.” He said, “We don’t do this just for suicide prevention. We do it for anyone who needs help.”
He mentioned that since the legislation has passed, the impact is “phenomenal.” He said, “Once they see that someone cares, they care. … Most of the veterans that we talk to about this program feel alone … this makes a massive difference.” Morse reminded the room that as a business owner, it will cost you money, but in the long run, it’ll save lives.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Price followed Morse and said the most important thing to share at this moment was that suicide is often preventable. He believes that every FFL, every range and every firearms instructor can commit to preventing suicide – by knowing what to look for and how to respond. At SHOT Show, the ASFP launched the above-mentioned toolkit for firearms instructors. This toolkit is free to download.
The American Legion’s ‘Be The One’
Hoover’s presentation finished the panel. He said, “This is an American problem.” The American Legion has a goal to train 100,000 people in suicide prevention by the end of 2025. The “Be the One” program encourages people to “be the one” to reach out and prevent a suicide. The objective of the program is for American Legion members, families and communities to be able to talk to people about suicide prevention.
The NSSF and Suicide Prevention
If you’re interested in learning more about suicide prevention and what you can do, visit the NSSF’s special webpage, dedicated to providing resources to retailers, range owners and anyone wanting to become involved in stopping the tragedies of early loss of life.
If you are someone or you care about is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Veterans can call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com. View all posts by Barbara Baird
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