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

Last weeks inquiry into the measure and malice surrounding Lock it Up Laws spent some time discussing the intricacies surrounding the legislative measures, their implications on firearm owners, and finally the array of opinion surrounding such legislative motions. The aim of this weeks entry is to expand the intersection of varied opinion, bringing forward hopefully an insight into both converse opinions as well as where they can meet.

As stated, many of the tenets and practices that Lock it Up laws enforce are deeply embedded in the contemporary understanding of firearm ownership, as the use of gun safes and cable locks are often within many of the fundamental firearm familiarization courses, such as concealed carry and or hunters safety classes.

This is accompanied by many who believe that this legislation can or will impede on the extent to which one can protect ones family and loved ones. This notion of protect is where I would like to expand.

Home Defense

Looking at the myriad of reasons that one may or may not choose to exercise their second amendment right to bear arms, it is apparent that a large motive in most of these instances is an inclination to protect ones self and their loved ones. In earlier posts, this idea was expanded to not just include protective measure that is not just outward-facing, but so too safety plan and procedure that is inward-facing as well, taking measure against possible mental health crisis’s to the degree that one may take measure against a break-in.

This becomes more true when considering that this legislation aims to aid in preventing firearms from coming into the hands of at-risk and or unauthorized users, such as a child and or one who is experiencing a mental health crisis.

From this vantage point, the supplying of cable locks and edifying components that adjoin such legislation do not become tyrannous but rather supporting in attempts to keep ones family and oneself safe, from threats domestic and abroad.

The Culmination: Where Perspectives Meet

Given the current challenges and complexities in today's world, it is understandable why one would want to prioritize the safety and security of oneself and ones loved ones. Not only that, given the rights and freedoms that are fundamental to the constitutive law of this country, it is a privilege that individuals can exercise such rights and acquire means by which ones family can be protected.

This responsibility to protect oneself and those around them does not stop at the front door, but must extend to all reaches of ones home, especially as mental health issues proliferate such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, and more.

The intersection of perspectives here lies in the protection of the home. Protecting oneself and loved ones from threats that are outward-facing, as well as those that are inward-facing, ensuring the safety of both house and home.

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.