Firearms Safety
Firearms are the most common method used in suicide deaths and account for more than 50% of Suicides in 2022.*
About 85% of firearm attempts are fatal.* Due to the lethality of firearms, safely and securely storing firearms is extremely important - especially when you or a loved one is in crisis. Putting time and distance between the impulse and the action can save lives. One study asked people seen in the hospital following a suicide attempt when they had first started thinking about making that attempt; 48% said they had first started thinking about it within 10 minutes of attempting.* Research has shown that if an individual is in a suicidal crisis and do not have access to a lethal method - such as an unlocked and loaded firearm - they simply will not find an alternative method, or they will find a less lethal method. More than 90% of first-time attempt survivors do not go on to make a second attempt.*
Safe and responsible firearm ownership can save lives.
In Illinois, the rate of firearm deaths increased 68% from 2013 to 2022, compared to a 36% increase nation wide.* In 2024, 35% of McHenry County’s suicide deaths were by firearm. Firearms are the leading cause of death for adolescents ages 15-19 and young adults 20-24 in the United States, surpassing motor vehicle collisions. Only 1% of firearm injuries are due mass shootings.*
Data from CDC Injury and Violence Data Dashboard
Firearm Safe Storage
Safe storage of firearms can protect against misuse of firearms - including theft, accidental discharge, and self-harm. There are several different types of storage options to fit the need of firearm owners.
Cable Lock (Price ranges $0 - $50)
Cable locks runs through action of single weapon preventing discharge. This prevents use by small children, children, unauthorized users, and theft while still enabling fast access when appropriate. Request a free cable gun lock from NAMI of McHenry County here.
Trigger Lock (Price ranges $10 - $75)
Trigger locks should not be used with loaded firearm. Prevents use by small children, children, unauthorized users, and theft while still enabling fast access.
Gun Case (Price Ranges $10 - $150)
Gun cases use an external lock which prevents access by children, and unauthorized users. Gun cases still enable fast access and can provide secure storage during transit.
Console / Vehicle Gun Safe (Price ranges ($50 - $350)
Console and vehicle gun safes are similar to gun cases and use an external lock. Biometric locks available in some models. Console/Vehicle safes prevents access by children, unauthorized users, and theft while still enabling fast access. Console/vehicle gun safes provide secure vehicle storage.
Lock Box / Locker (Price Range $25 - $350)
Lock boxes / lockers also use an external lock and many have biometric locks for added safety. This preventions access by children, unauthorized users, and theft. Lock boxes can be used for secure vehicle storage and enables fast access.
Full Size Firearm Safes (Price ranges $200 - $2,000)
Full size firearm safes allows for storage of multiple firearms in one place. Biometric locks are available on the external locks, allowing for quick access and prevention access by children, unauthorized users, and theft.
Firearm Restraining Orders
If you believe a loved one is at risk of harm to themselves or others, filing a firearm restraining order - sometimes called red flag laws - may be appropriate. A Firearm Restraining Order (or FRO) is a civil court order that temporarily prohibits a person from possessing or buying firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts that could be used to assemble an operable firearm when the person poses an immediate danger to themselves or others. A firearm restraining order is obtained through a formal legal process during which a petitioner asks the court to issue a FRO.
The purpose of the FRO is to prevent misuse of a firearm NOT to take the firearm away from the owner!
A family or household member is defined – in this case – as a spouse, former spouse, person with whom the at-risk individual has a minor child in common, parent, child, step-child, any other person related by blood or marriage, or a person who shares a common living space. FROs are free to file and since they’re civil orders, do not create a criminal or arrest record for the individual. Appellate Courts have continued to uphold firearm restraining orders due to the nature of upholding public safety. The intention of the FRO is not to take away firearms, but to keep individuals safe and prevent firearm misuse.
Resources We Offer
Cable Gun Locks
We offer free cable gun locks to the community and have them available at the NAMI of McHenry County offices for pick up. Please fill out the form to reserve your gun lock. If your organization or agency is looking to become a pick up destination for free cable gun locks and would like to request cable gun locks, please fill out this form.
Trainings
McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force partners with NAMI of McHenry County to offer a variety of secure storage and firearm restraining order trainings. Including training for healthcare providers! Please visit NAMI of McHenry County’s Website or contact education@namimch.org for more information.
More to Come
As this program grows within McHenry County, we will be offering more trainings, webinars, and events. Continue to check back or subscribe to our newsletter for more information.
Use this map to find a business, city hall, library, or police department that offers FREE cable gun locks - no questions asked!
More Resources
*References
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2023, June 23). An introduction to firearms and suicide prevention. https://afsp.org/an-introduction-to-firearms-and-suicide-prevention/
Brady United for Action. (n.d.). Statistics. Brady. https://www.bradyunited.org/resources/statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 13). Suicide data and statistics. Suicide Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html
Counseling on access to lethal means. (n.d.). Zero Suicide. https://zerosuicide.edc.org/resources/trainings-courses/CALM-course
Gifford Law Center. (2023, May 24). Illinois. Giffords. https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/illinois/
Harvard University. (n.d.). Firearm access is a risk factor for suicide. Means Matter. https://means-matter.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/risk/
Funding provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Public Health