Narrative

Among the main reasons why an individual may choose to exercise one’s second amendment right and own a firearm is to further enable means of protection and safety, as firearm ownership is one of the main preferences of home and personal protection. This notion is separate from any ideological and political orientation but is rather a reality deeply embedded in the role firearms play in our contemporary settings and perspectives. Whether for concealed carry, home protection, or a composite of these motives, much time, training, and resources are allocated by individuals primarily for the purpose of keeping themselves and those around them safe.

Further, this notion of safety that often accompanies firearm ownership is often outwardly facing, protecting the individuals and things you value from the dangers that stand before you. This is, of course, natural; our homes are often our realms of known, without the posed unfamiliarity that may or may not be of risk to you or loved ones. However, this is a constricted frame of reference, as homes are not always familiar, both familially and individually, and instances of hardship can lead to one’s home to be as much of a danger as those of the ‘outside world’.

This expansion of reference causes the underlying notion of safety and protection which underlies many motives for firearm safety to thus be expanded upon, from an outward facing model to one that is bidirectional. One’s motive changes from simply protecting against external risks to taking account and precaution toward threats both domestic and abroad, motivating time, training, and recourses to domestic safety and precaution in firearm ownership.

The Literature

Throughout peer supported literature on the subject, practicing safe and secure storage of ones firearms is defined as one of the best ways to ensure in-home safety and protection, minimizing risk of unintended access especially of children and adolescence. Often uncostly, means of safe storage can be an incredibly efficient and reliable way in which domestic safety is secured.

A level of impulsivity is often inherent in suicidal risk and action, making a preventative and impeding measure, such as a means of safe storage, an efficient and effective means of suicide prevention, bolstering the safety of self and loved ones.

Culmination

Safety and protection of oneself and those around you are often a priority for firearm owner and non firearm owner alike, often leading to the implementations of protocols and procedures which prevent danger and harm in an emergency situation. Often, a family may have a safety plan in case of a sudden house fire or medical emergency, planning ahead for a situation and crisis that may have its origin on the domestic front.

A Call To Action

What is your plan in case of an emergency? What are some precautionary actions one can take in order to diminish the risk of said emergency? These questions are a great starting place for the implementation of preventative measures and practices that can keep loved ones and those around oneself safe in a crisis and emergency.

Local Initiatives and Involvements

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 2025 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN MESA COUNTY Register Here!

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST): January 16-17, March 20-21, September 18-19, November 6-7 This two-day workshop(16 hours) helps participants learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): January 31, February 21, April 11, September 26, October 17, December 5 This eight (8) hour training teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA): March 7, April 18, August 29 This Six and half (6.5) hour training for adults who regularly interact with people ages 12-18. It introduces common mental health challenges, typical adolescent development, and plan for how to help in crisis and non-crisis situations

Soul Shop™: February 20, October 2 This 90-minute workshop equips faith community leaders and other people of faith to train their congregations to minister to those impacted by suicidal desperation.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call or text 988. The National Suicide Hotline is staffed around the clock with certified members of the American Association of Suicidology. Or the Crisis Text Line, text CO to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.