Posted on Sep 6, 2023
Storing guns away from home could reduce suicides, but there are legal hurdles
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/06/ [login to see] /gun-storage-suicide-risk-safe-storage-maps
At his home, Mike Hossfeld unlocked a heavy black steel door to his gun safe room, unveiling both modern and collectable firearms from the early 1900s.
"Most of this is mine. There are a few weapons in here that belong to other folks." he says.
Hossfeld regularly stores firearms for others who are going through a crisis or simply a rough period in life. That puts time and space between them and their guns, which can significantly reduce suicide risk.
At his home, Mike Hossfeld unlocked a heavy black steel door to his gun safe room, unveiling both modern and collectable firearms from the early 1900s.
"Most of this is mine. There are a few weapons in here that belong to other folks." he says.
Hossfeld regularly stores firearms for others who are going through a crisis or simply a rough period in life. That puts time and space between them and their guns, which can significantly reduce suicide risk.
Storing guns away from home could reduce suicides, but there are legal hurdles
Posted from npr.org
Firearms and Guns
Safety
Depression
Mental Health
Suicide
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Makes it had to use them for self defense
CMSgt Marcus Falleaf SFC William Farrell Maj Robert Thornton Sgt (Join to see) LTC David Brown CWO4 Terrence Clark MSgt (Join to see) SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SFC Bernard Walko MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Cpl Vic Burk MSgt Dale Johnson SSG Michael Noll LTC Trent Klug Maj Ronald (Ron) Scarpa SPC Gary C. LTC Marc King SMSgt David A Asbury SGT (Join to see)
CMSgt Marcus Falleaf SFC William Farrell Maj Robert Thornton Sgt (Join to see) LTC David Brown CWO4 Terrence Clark MSgt (Join to see) SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SFC Bernard Walko MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Cpl Vic Burk MSgt Dale Johnson SSG Michael Noll LTC Trent Klug Maj Ronald (Ron) Scarpa SPC Gary C. LTC Marc King SMSgt David A Asbury SGT (Join to see)
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If a person is intent on suicide, removing guns is only a (very) short-term solution. Someone intent on suicide WILL find another way that's not as physically traumatic.
Then, there's the issue of removing them and limiting self-defense. If someone is that unhinged, the gun access makes little difference. I have a friend whose marriage was on the rocks, and he seriously considered suicide ... by driving into a tree or bridge abutment. Fortunately, he didn't but not once did he contemplate using one of his guns.
I've responded to two suicides. One by hanging and one by running a vacuum hose from his car's exhaust into the passenger compartment. Both were hunters and had guns. Conversely, another suicide was with a BORROWED 30-30 rifle in his car because the FBI was investigating his purchasing fraud at the Pentagon.
Then, there's the issue of removing them and limiting self-defense. If someone is that unhinged, the gun access makes little difference. I have a friend whose marriage was on the rocks, and he seriously considered suicide ... by driving into a tree or bridge abutment. Fortunately, he didn't but not once did he contemplate using one of his guns.
I've responded to two suicides. One by hanging and one by running a vacuum hose from his car's exhaust into the passenger compartment. Both were hunters and had guns. Conversely, another suicide was with a BORROWED 30-30 rifle in his car because the FBI was investigating his purchasing fraud at the Pentagon.
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