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

As 2025 rolls on, new firearm legislation is in the works throughout all bodies of government, from local to federal, this of course is pertinent when discussing suicide prevention and lethal means safety as our public perception of firearms changes the way in which they are used and perceived on an individual level, thus effecting the way in which firearms interplay with the issue of suicide on individual and aggregate levels.

Proposed bill SB25-034 puts forward that the state of Colorado should have a temporary voluntary wavering of ones ability to purchase a firearm. saying as follows:

“ The bill establishes a process for a person to voluntarily waive the right to purchase a firearm (voluntary waiver). The Colorado bureau of investigation (bureau) shall deny a firearm transfer to the person while the voluntary waiver is in effect. The bureau shall develop an online portal for a person to electronically file for a voluntary waiver, update contact information, and revoke a voluntary waiver. The bureau is required to verify the filer's identity before accepting a voluntary waiver or revocation.” 

This bill legislatively sits in the middle of a sociological issue that surrounds firearms and mental health issues, mistrust leading to misunderstanding, furthering mistrust.

From talking and interacting with many firearm owners, retailers, and enthusiasts, there is a sudden singe of distaste when the topic of safety planning and clinicians are brought up. Past legislation such as red flag laws have caused many firearm owners to avoid the conversational intersection, widening the gap of misunderstanding and increasing levels of distrust overall. Resources are more likely to be perceived as oppressive punishment; making a therapist look not like a means of support but an avenue in which legislation is exploited as a weapon of its own.

This bill stands in contrast to this narrative however because it stands not on grounds of enforcement but of reciprocal trust, an open hand rather than a closed fist. This is an important distinction as this bill not only stands as a state wide initiative that can meet individuals where they may be in their personal struggles but so too does it begin to rewrite the narrative concerning legislation, firearms, and mental health.

The Literature

Throughout much of the research done on suicidality, much emphasis has been on how social support systems can be a protective factor against suicidality throughout the lifespan. We can also see within the literature that those who have undergone a schism within a prior social support system have higher levels of suicidality.

This directly applies because as stated above, a law is a solidification of a position with which all under the given jurisdiction must abide in, this inadvertently affects all cultural and social components that reside under a given jurisdiction and if our jurisdiction ostracizes and demonizes firearms, how is one who owns a firearm to feel that they have a healthy social support system?

The Culmination

This bill provides us with a legislative avenue by which individuals can keep themselves and others safe through a temporary and voluntary waiving of ones ability to purchase a firearm. More so, this bill stands to build trust and support to many who have felt as though they have had to struggle alone.

It is only through a building of trust that true understanding can be found, opposing the cycle of mistrust and misunderstanding. At an aggregate level as well as on the individual level, it is vital that trust is preemptively established so that thoughts and feelings can truly be heard, and struggles can be walked through together.

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): 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): 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™: 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.