Today is Lock Up Your Gun Day [Greg Laden's Blog]

Not really. But it is World Suicide Prevention Day. And, one way YOU can help prevent suicides is by keeping your gun locked up, separate from the ammo, and keeping the ammo locked up as well.

Why?

Here’s why:

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among teens and young adults and the 10th leading cause of death among all Americans.

• On average, 4 teenagers and 118 total Americans complete suicide every day.

• 90% people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide.

• Many suicide attempts occur with little planning during a short-term crisis.

• 50% of suicide deaths in the United States are by firearm.

• Access to firearms is a risk factor for suicide.

• Firearms used in youth suicide usually belong to a parent.

• Reducing access to lethal means, like firearms, saves lives.

• A gun in the home is 22x more likely to be used in a suicide, homicide, or unintentional shooting than for self defense.

• If there is a gun in your home, keep it unloaded and locked up or with a trigger lock. Store the bullets in a different place that is also locked.

• If there is a gun in your home, do not let children and teens have a key to the places where guns and bullets are stored.

• If a household member becomes depressed or has severe mood swings, store the gun outside the home for the time being while you seek help!

Adapted from this source.