Patients

Making Informed Choices: Firearm Safety & Aging

Welcome!

This brief course will help you:

  1. Understand how firearm safety is important for healthy aging
  2. Identify options you have for firearm storage or removing your firearms
  3. Consider what your next steps could be with your firearms

What this course will do:

  • Help you identify your own personal risks related to having firearms in the home
  • Help you identify actions you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones

What this course will not do:

  • Force you to get rid of firearms if you do not want to
  • Store your personal information or firearm-related information
  • Provide biased information about firearms
  • This course should take you 15-20 minutes.
  • Please read every slide and watch every video.
  • You might find it helpful to have a pen and notebook handy to jot down notes or questions.

To navigate through the course, click on a slide and drag left or right (or swipe through the slides on a mobile device). You can also use the “Next” and “Previous” links under the slides.

Part 1: Firearm Safety and Aging

In this section, we’ll cover:

  • Why firearm safety is important to healthy aging
  • What conditions could increase the risk for firearm injury
  • The how and why for talking with your doctor about firearm safety

A Doctor’s Perspective

What conditions increase your risk for firearm suicide?

  • A new serious health condition – for example, dementia or advanced cancer
  • Having ongoing pain
  • Feeling isolated and alone
  • Depression
  • Routine alcohol and/or drug use

Do any of these factors apply to you?

In this video, you’ll see how one person found the right the solution to store his firearms safely and prevent injury.

Part 2: You Have Options

In this section, we’ll cover:

  • Firearm safety facts
  • Your options for firearm safety, including:
    • Safe firearm storage
    • Firearm removal

A Police Officer’s Perspective

Firearm Safety Facts

  • Research has found that having a firearm in the home increases the risk that someone living in the home will die from a firearm injury. 
  • Most children know about firearms and where they are hidden or stored, even if they’ve never been directly told.

Firearm Safety Facts (continued)

  • Children as young as 3 are strong enough to pull the trigger on a firearm. Gunshot injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens.
  • People who have firearms in their home have a 3 times higher risk of suicide compared to people without a firearm in the home.
  • Suicide can be difficult to predict, and just having a firearm in the home increases you and your family’s risk of suicide.

Good Options: Safe Firearm Storage

1a. If you can, store firearms safely in a gun safe.

Photo of a gun safe

Long Gun Safes

Pros: Can also store handguns; Less likely to be stolen due to size and weight.
Cons: Heavy, difficult to move; Most expensive option ($300 to several thousand).

Good Options: Safe Firearm Storage

1b. If you cannot get a gun safe, a lock box can still help.

Photo of a person placing a handgun in a safe

Lock Boxes (for handguns)

Pros: Cost effective (under $100 with key or combination lock, more expensive with biometric mechanisms).
Cons: Risk of theft, small safes should be bolted down.

Good Options: Safe Firearm Storage

1c. If you cannot get a gun safe or lock box, use a trigger lock or a cable lock.

Photo of different types of trigger locks

Trigger locks and cable locks

Pros: Inexpensive, sometimes free through local programs -check with police or consult this list. Cable locks can be used for multiple weapons.
Cons: Generally less secure than other options. Trigger locks are more prone to accidental discharge.

Good Options: Firearm Removal

  1. Call a non-emergency police station phone line and ask about your options for temporarily or permanently removing your firearm from your home.

Part 3: Putting It All Together

In this section, we will cover:

  • Discussing firearms with your doctor
  • What next action you can take to improve your firearm safety

In this video, you’ll hear how one person decided on the best course of action to ensure the safety of herself and her family.

Discussing Firearms with your Doctor

  • Your physician may speak with you about your firearms, because they want you and your family to be safe in your home.
  • Your doctor will screen you for several risk factors for injury – firearms are no different
  • It’s important to be honest with your doctor  – they do not want to take away your firearms. They are focused on your safety and well-being.

Preparing to discuss with your doctor

Here are questions to think about before your next appointment:

  • Are there firearms in your home?
  • Is there anyone who could find them?
  • Can you make sure these firearms are stored safely or remove them from your home?
  • Do you need help doing this? Who can help?

What other questions do you have for your doctor?

Decide which option is best for you:

Safe storage

  • Gun safe
  • Lock box
  • Cable/trigger

A family member or friend can keep the key or combination if needed.

Removing your firearm from your home

  • Call your local firearm retailer
  • Call non-emergency police line to discuss removal or transfer

If you are in crisis:

  • National Suicide Hotline – 988

This is the end of the course. Thank you for considering firearm safety! Your actions can save lives.

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