Using a safe to secure a firearm in the home is crucial to prevent access during a mental health crisis, especially among Veterans. The 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report from the US Department of Veterans Affairs revealed that in 2021, 6,392 Veterans died by suicide, marking an 11.6% increase from the previous year. Firearms were involved in 72.2% of Veteran suicides, compared to 52.2% for non-Veterans. Alarmingly, firearm suicide rates for Veteran women were 281.1% higher than civilian women in 2021.
Access to lethal means significantly raises the chances of a fatal outcome from suicidal actions, particularly among Veterans. The Biden-Harris Administration identified lethal means safety, including secure storage of firearms and medications, as a top priority for reducing Veteran and service member suicide. Nearly half of all Veterans own one or more firearms, but 1 in 3 Veteran firearm owners do not securely store their firearms at home.
