Preventing Firearm Suicides: How Education and Community Make a Difference

Firearms are a crucial tool for self-defense, and when paired with education, community support, and safe storage, they save lives. The CDC cites more than 2 million defensive gun uses (DGUs) per year; however, there are also tragedies involving firearms that can be prevented. Nearly 60 percent of all firearm-related fatalities are suicides, highlighting the importance of providing emotional support, resources, and education on safe storage options. By combining knowledge, community engagement, and responsible practices, firearm owners can help save lives while protecting their rights and the safety of those around them.

Rising Firearm Suicide Rates Among Older Adults

A study published last week by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and Boston University School of Public Health analyzed firearm suicide data among adults 65 and older from 2014 to 2023. It found that firearms were involved in nearly 40 percent of suicides among older women, up from 34.9 percent in 2014.

While men remain far more likely to use a firearm (accounting for over 91 percent of firearm suicides among seniors) the rate among older women is rising. The study showed that firearm suicides among men remained relatively stable during this period, while rates among women increased.

Suicide attempts using a firearm have a statistically lower survivability rate, so researchers emphasize the importance of adapting suicide prevention strategies as more women become gun owners. They recommend that experts discuss mental health and firearm access with older adults to help reduce risk.

In 2019, roughly 23,000 Americans died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. According to CNN, this accounted for 44 percent of global firearm-related suicides among countries that track and publish such data.

Suicide Is Complex But Preventable

Suicide does not have a single cause. It emerges from a combination of biological, psychological, interpersonal, environmental, and societal factors that often interact over time. Understanding these influences is essential for prevention.

“But the good news is that suicide can be prevented. Evidence shows that referring to support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help ourselves and others,” says Robyn Sandoval, President and CEO of A Girl & A Gun (AG & AG).

When the community takes proactive steps to reduce these deaths, lives are saved and rights are protected by addressing the underlying factors that often drive calls for restrictive legislation.

Education as the Foundation of Safety

Sandoval has long emphasized the importance of education and open dialogue. At the 2018 Gun Rights Policy Conference, she said:

“I’m not afraid to have hard conversations. Topics and situations may be scary, but I don’t bury my head in the sand. We need real solutions to hard problems, both actual and perceived, and I’m proud to be one of those leaders who are stepping forward.”

AG & AG has translated this philosophy into concrete action. In 2021, the organization launched its Personal Safety Plan workbook at a Virtual Girls Night Out. Not only did it educate members on recognizing baseline behaviors and developing personal safety plans to reduce firearm suicide risk, it also made the workbook available for all members to download as a Shooting Journal supplement. The workbook covers suicide prevention, guides members through creating and enacting a Personal Safety Plan, and provides resources for additional support.

The Personal Safety Plan helps individuals identify warning signs, preferred coping strategies, and actionable steps for themselves and loved ones. Voluntarily limiting access to lethal means during crises allows members to safeguard themselves while respecting firearm rights.

Community Support: A Lifeline

Supportive, like-minded communities amplify the impact of education and planning. AG & AG events provide safe, welcoming spaces for members to improve marksmanship, ask questions, and receive encouragement. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention notes that environments where individuals live, work, and socialize can significantly reduce suicide risk by promoting help-seeking behaviors and protective measures.

“Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, change the conversation around suicide, and safeguard the dignity and rights of all people. If we do our part as a community to educate people about the signs of suicide and refer individuals to resources available to them, we will save lives,” says Sandoval.

Safe Storage Saves Lives

Secure firearm storage is a critical intervention. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) will highlight this during Gun Storage Check Week, September 1–7, 2025, part of National Suicide Prevention Month. AG & AG is proud to participate as a partner in this nationwide initiative, helping educate gun owners about safe storage best practices.

“One of the most effective methods for preventing suicide is deterring access to firearms and other means during a time of crisis. Gun owners and their families have it in their power to save lives. Securely storing firearms creates time and distance between a person with suicidal thoughts and a method of self-harm,” says NSSF President Joe Bartozzi.

Storage options include cable locks, lock boxes, lockable gun cases, full-size safes, and digital devices that alert owners if tampered with. Temporary offsite storage is also an option, and regular reviews of storage practices are encouraged as life circumstances change.

Combining education, community support, and responsible storage reduces the risk of suicide while allowing firearm owners to exercise their rights safely. AG & AG has several articles specifically addressing safe handling and storage.

A Call to Action

Rising firearm suicide rates, particularly among older women, require timely, intentional action. AG & AG encourages firearm owners to:

1. Engage in open conversations about mental health and warning signs.
2. Create Personal Safety Plans using AG & AG’s Shooting Journal worksheets.
3. Review firearm storage practices, using secure safes, lock boxes, and other devices.
4. Participate in community events that emphasize safe handling, mental health awareness, and mutual support.

“Our efforts will safeguard rights and stop infringing legislation. A personal plan empowers an individual to be her own first responder and gives her resources to ensure her own safety,” says Sandoval.

For resources and guidance, visit AGirlandAGun.org/journal and GunStorageCheck.org. If you or a loved one is in crisis, call 988, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

About A Girl & A Gun

A Girl & A Gun (AG & AG) is the nation’s largest and most influential women’s firearms organization, with members in every state and hundreds of host ranges nationwide. As the premier organization dedicated to women in shooting sports, AG & AG inspires thousands of women to live lives with strength and confidence through expert firearms education, competitive opportunities, and a vibrant, supportive community.

AG & AG is more than a club; it is a movement redefining who belongs in the shooting sports. Their signature events, including Girl’s Night Out and the National Conference, offer transformational experiences that welcome beginners with warmth and guidance, while providing elite training and competition for seasoned shooters.

For ranges, instructors, and corporate partners, AG & AG provides a valuable platform to engage a passionate and growing community of women shooters. By partnering with AG & AG, businesses can expand their reach, enhance program offerings, and contribute to breaking down barriers in self-defense, pistol, rifle, and shotgun disciplines.

At the heart of AG & AG is a dedicated team of qualified instructors and mentors who ensure every woman, regardless of background or experience level, feels confident, capable, and inspired. Together, AG & AG and its partners are building a thriving community where women not only learn to shoot but gain the skills to thrive.

Whether you’re a woman seeking connection and growth or a business looking to partner with a powerful movement, AG & AG offers a unique opportunity to be part of something bigger. For more information about A Girl & A Gun, or to learn how to join, please visit AGirlandAGun.org. Follow AG & AG on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Pinterest for social media and corporate news.