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Use of firearm locking devices may reduce the risk of suicide and injury among older adults. This study describes older adults' preferences when choosing a firearm locking device. We conducted a secondary analysis of a nationally representative survey of US adult firearm owners (N = 2,152). We compared older adults (≥65y) with relatively younger adults (<65y), stratified by self-reported gender. The top three factors cited as impacting firearm locking device selection included speed (53.6%) and ease of firearm access from device (52.4%), and cost of the device (28.7%). These top factors were comparable for all adults across genders. A larger proportion of older vs younger males reported that a primary preference was whether the device allows the firearm to remain loaded with ammunition; smaller proportions of older vs younger males reported strength of device (device durability) and costs. Preference among older adults, particularly older males, for locking devices that maintain the firearms easy to access – especially, loaded with ammunition – might impact firearm injury prevention efforts for this high-risk group. For harm reduction, use of any firearm locking device may reduce the risk of firearm injury or death. Clinicians are encouraged to explore reasons for locking device selection within motivational interviewing frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The US Department of Defense recommends lethal means safety counseling (LMSC) to promote firearm injury prevention via secure storage of personal firearms. We describe the rollout of a universal, peer‐delivered adaptation of Project Safe Guard (PSG)—a brief, single‐session LMSC discussion—at a US Space Force installation. Method: Program evaluation data were collected via anonymous, voluntary, and online surveys. Of approximately 862 eligible active‐duty service members and embedded civilians, 324 completed the preprogram survey and 68 and 37 completed the 1‐ and 2‐month follow‐ups, respectively. Results: At preprogram, 69.1% agreed that peer‐delivered LMSC is appropriate. After rollout, 100% of the 222 firearm locking devices available to service members were requested from the on‐base Violence Prevention Integrator. The effectiveness of PSG was indeterminable due to the low survey response rates. Conclusions: Despite strong preprogram support for peer‐delivered LMSC and behavioral indicators of secure firearm storage (e.g., firearm locking device requests), several challenges limited the uptake and evaluability of the PSG program in this naturalistic environment, including military survey fatigue and competing mission priorities. Additional work is needed to determine the effectiveness of peer‐delivered LMSC in a military context. Sustained base support and military‐civilian collaborations will be critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. DoD has identified firearm suicide prevention as a key operational priority. One vital approach to addressing firearm suicides is through promoting lethal means safety, which involves the voluntary use of secure storage for personally owned firearms and/or temporarily moving firearms out of the home during risk periods. Despite promising approaches to lethal means safety, critical gaps remain in research, programming, and communication among and across scientists, DoD programmatic leaders, front-line commanders, and service members. To address these gaps, the first-ever national "Firearm Suicide Prevention in the Military: Messaging and Interventions Summit" was convened in June 2022, bringing together DoD personnel and researchers with expertise in firearm suicide prevention and lethal means safety. The Summit identified 10 recommendations to enhance firearm suicide prevention messaging and interventions in the U.S. military, including (1) repeal or amend prohibitions on questioning service members about personal firearms; (2) develop, examine, and use common language for firearm injury prevention; (3) implement a universal approach to training on comprehensive firearm injury prevention; (4) encourage leadership across disciplines and levels; (5) aim for broad culture change; (6) support innovative research; (7) consider various outcome measures; (8) promote "cultural competence" for better communication; (9) reduce territorialism; and (10) develop creative partnerships. Ultimately, these recommendations can facilitate productive partnerships with a shared goal: to develop, test, and implement strategies that standardize lethal means safety and reduce firearm suicides and other firearm injuries or harm among service members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Gun Shop Project aims to reduce firearm suicide and is widely implemented in the USA, yet little is known about the core firearm business practices and behaviours that might contribute to preventing firearm suicide., Methods: Owners or managers of all firearm businesses identified as participants in Colorado's Gun Shop Project were invited to respond to a questionnaire. Data collection occurred from March to May 2021. Analyses included unweighted descriptive statistics with CIs and Pearson χ 2 tests for categorical associations., Results: 54 firearm businesses participated (response rate: 28%). Under half reported practices that are Gun Shop Project core aspects (range: 14%-45%). 22% of businesses frequently engaged customers on the importance of safe firearm storage in suicide prevention while 26% had denied a firearm sale and 14% had assisted with temporary secure storage in the past year with customers perceived to be in suicidal crisis. However, high proportions reported willingness to engage in these behaviours if a customer was in crisis: 74% were willing to refuse a sale of a firearm or ammunition, 70% were willing to discuss temporary secure storage options and 70% were willing to direct customers to mental health services., Conclusions: This study suggests that efforts to continue educating and involving firearm businesses may have an impact on the adoption of organisational suicide prevention practices and behaviours. Ongoing efforts are needed to understand core components of Gun Shop Project to inform standardised recommendations for effective firearm business practices that prevent firearm suicide., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)