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Firearm Safety

Lethal Means Safety

Lethal means safety is an evidence-based suicide prevention practice that involves making a suicide attempt method less available or more difficult to access immediately, therefore less likely to cause a fatal suicide attempt. Putting time and space between someone experiencing suicidal thoughts and their access to lethal means reduces the risk of harm and can save lives. In the United States, the most common and most lethal method of attempting is by firearms.   

In Eastern Idaho, between 2014 and 2022, firearms were used 66% of the time as mechanism of injury for suicide. According to the CDC, more than half (55%) of suicides are by firearm. Nearly 90 percent of suicide attempts involving firearms are fatal, compared to 5 percent of all other suicide attempts.  Some populations, like veterans, are at highest risk of using firearms with the Department of Veteran Affairs reporting 71 percent of suicides are by firearm.   

Gun locks are available at all EIPH office locations. Reach out to Timalee Geisler at (208)533-3149 for more information. 

988 logo

Call or text 988 to connect to the Idaho Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

6 in 10 suicides in Idaho are by firearm

Since the time between thinking about suicide to acting on it can be quick, (often less than ten minutes) making a firearm either less available or inaccessible during a period of crisis can help prevent attempts. This time delay can allow for someone to intervene or for the person in crisis to reach out for help, rather than act on suicidal thoughts, including calling, texting, or chatting with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or seeking out services they may need in that moment. Research has shown that if someone’s preferred suicide attempt method is unavailable, people WILL NOT generally not attempt using a different method. Nearly 90 percent of people who survive a suicide attempt do not later go on to die by suicide.  

Safe Storage Initiatives 

Practice safe firearm storage by storing firearms unloaded, with ammunition stored separately, in a gun safe or tamper-proof storage box with external locking devices, such as cable locks.   

During periods of crisis or immediate risk for suicide, people should temporarily store firearms away from the home (as permissible with state and local laws) by storing firearms with family members or friends; in a self-storage unit; at a gun shop, shooting range, or pawn shop; or with law enforcement. 

*Cable Gun Locks are available at any EIPH locations.

Effective Policy and Partnerships 

Suicide prevention stakeholders can partner with firearm retailers, shooting ranges, and gun clubs, to teach stakeholders about suicide prevention and lethal means safety. Efforts often include a focus on recognizing the signs that a purchaser may be in distress or seeking a firearm for suicide, educating gunowners on safety, facilitating safe storage, and distributing safety devices. The National Action Alliance’s report provides information on innovative ways these types of partnerships have been utilized. 

Education and Awareness 

Lethal means safety counseling is an important component of safety planning. When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, has attempted suicide in the past and are in distress, or is exhibiting risk factors for suicide, their clinician should work with them to develop a safety plan, a brief, easy to use plan written in the person’s own words. Safety plans include warning signs to look for, coping strategies, sources of support they can contact in a crisis, and how they will address access to lethal means. 

Lethal means safety counseling should occur as part of the safety planning process as appropriate. This is a collaborative approach between the provider and patient in which providers first assess whether the patient has access to firearms and if so, how they are currently stored in the person’s home. Then, they collaboratively develop a plan on how to limit access to those means, until the risk subsides. 

Clinical suicide prevention training should always include a focus on safety planning and reducing access to lethal means. SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) developed the most widely-used training on lethal means safety.

988 Retail Cards

Retail cards have been created for firearm retailers in the area. The purpose of these cards is to provide contact information for 988 and a reminder that help is there. Please feel free to contact Timalee for more information at 208-533-3149 or tgeisler@eiph.idaho.gov.

988 Window Clings

Static clings have been created to be used in different locations including retail counters. The clings leave no residue. If you would like to order 988 window clings for your store, please contact Timalee at 208-533-3149 or tgeisler@eiph.idaho.gov 

Hunter Safety

General Firearm Safety

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