A Preliminary Message

Perhaps the areas within conversation concerning firearms and their social, psychological, and environmental implications with the most agitation is concerning the legislative and judicial applications that are implemented and or debated over. At large this is understandable, a law is a solidification of a position with which all under the given jurisdiction must abide in whether personally in agreement or disagreement. Firearms are powerful force that has been used for both good and evil, making the weight of decision paramount and variance of opinion abundant. Furthermore, the United States is built upon a foundation that venerates the right to bear arms, making alterations and or adjustments equally as fundamental. This all in conjunction brings forth a matter that is necessary to clarify, especially in tandem with suicide prevention, yet potentially destructive to rectify. With all this said, it is not my aim here to take a stance but to build an edifying bridge between opinion, bringing forward an area of focus in the midst of the ongoing debate and discussion; lethal means safety and suicide prevention.

The Narrative

When looking at the most effective implementations of firearm safety and suicide prevention, safe storage must be highlighted as it is a fundamental and primary way that firearm owners can distance a firearm from a crisis or potential misuse, thereby ensuring safety overall. Legislatively, this is the aim of Lock It Up Laws — to enforce standardized measures of safe storage of any firearm with the aim of preventing theft, misuse, and overall reduce risk of misemployment and misapplication.

This legislation is focused specifically in protecting vulnerable populations such as children and individuals who may be of risk to themselves and or others. Additionally, some of these legislative measures, specifically in Colorado, are centered around firearm storage within vehicles, aiming to prevent one of the leading agents of firearm theft.

Important Details

Defining Safe Storage

Within this legislation, firearms are required to be unloaded and stored with a locking component, such as a cable lock or a lock box, ensuring that the firearm is safely housed and inaccessible to any unwarranted users.

Educational Components

Lock It Up Laws in many cases also promotes public awareness on the part of firearm retailers, as their is a mandate that firearm dealers provide gun locks with every purchase to promote safe storage practices. 

Penalties and Noncompliance

Many of these laws have fines and or further punishment adjoined to them if noncompliance is found. This is especially so if an unsecured firearm is found to be apart of an accident or crime.

Implications

Throughout wide range of perspective of firearm owners, there are mixed opinion as to the extent of this law and its detailed components. Many are in favor and have already practiced what this legislation enforces for years, as safe handling and storage are an integral part of fundamental courses such as hunters safety and or concealed carry trainings. Conversely, some feel as this is a legislative overreach, making it increasingly hard to access ones firearm in a moment of home or self defense.

“What are the implications of this law on firearm accessibility verses safety?”

”What are some safe storage practices that ensure my firearm is securely stored away from unwarranted access, such as by my family, yet still accessible to protect them if needed?”

These are questions that every responsible firearm owner has asked regardless of legislative enforcement, as firearm ownership is a great freedom and responsibility that comes with a heavy burden. Whether considering a safety plan of a forced entry or a mental health crisis, it is vital as firearm owners to consider safety measures and precautions so those whom we love are protected.

Local Initiatives and Involvements

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

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST): 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.