Gun safety a tool for preventing suicide

Published on March 03, 2025

Studies show that when young people have access to guns, the likelihood of suicide attempts turning fatal rises dramatically. Responsible gun ownership and education are key to preventing such tragedies.

According to the CDC, the suicide rate among adolescents aged 10-14 tripled between 2007 and 2018, and in 2021 was the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24. 

Gun safety begins with secure storage. The Be SMART campaign was launched in 2015 to promote responsible gun ownership in order to reduce child gun deaths.

Whether you’re a gun owner, or you know someone who owns a gun, there is a role for everyone in the conversation around secure gun storage.

Be SMART is a framework that parents, caretakers, and community leaders can follow to help keep their communities safe. Ultimately, you can help prevent deaths due to firearms by storing them securely, and encouraging others to do the same. 

The Be SMART campaign outlines five key steps to protect children and teens:

• Secure all guns in your home and vehicles

• Model responsible behavior around firearms

• Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes

• Recognize the role of guns in suicide

• Tell your peers to be SMART

Firearms should be kept unloaded, locked away in a safe and separate from ammunition. Devices such as cable locks, lockboxes, and gun safes are effective tools that help reduce access.

Educating youth about gun safety can also reduce curiosity and prevent accidental or impulsive misuse. Families are encouraged to have open conversations about mental health, ensuring young people feel supported and know where to seek help in times of crisis. By staying informed, caregivers can identify warning signs and provide guidance when needed.

A tool to reduce the risk of suicide by firearms is the Firearm Restraining Order (FRO). When a person is in crisis and considering harming themselves or others, family members and law enforcement are often the first people to see the warning signs.

Extreme Risk laws, like Illinois' FRO, allow loved ones or law enforcement to intervene by petitioning a court for an order to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns. The FRO can help de-escalate emergency situations. Extreme Risk laws are a proven way to intervene before gun violence—such as a gun suicide or mass shooting—takes more lives.

There are two crisis support phone numbers that offer immediate support for those in emotional distress: The 988 Suicide & Thrive Crisis Lifeline (708.383.7500). By calling or texting 988, individuals can connect with trained counselors who provide free and confidential support 24/7. The Thrive Crisis Lifeline connects callers with a local counselor who can also offer support.

Learn more about effective approaches to gun safety and suicide prevention, including Be SMART and the Illinois FRO, at the Safe Storage Saves Lives event from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 at the Community Recreation Center. Special guests from Everytown and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office will be presenting information about gun safety. Find more information and register in advance at www.oak-park.us/SafeStorageSavesLives. 

If you or a loved one is in crisis, you can take steps to get the support you need.  For additional resources on firearm safety, visit the Be SMART campaign at besmartforkids.org, or make a safety plan to help identify coping strategies and to guide you through difficult moments at www.mysafetyplan.org. 

More information about safe gun storage in Oak Park and ways to obtain free gun locks is available on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/safestorage.