Gun shops, public health officials find common ground
December 12, 2014
In New Hampshire, a coalition of gun shop owners and public health experts has been able not only to engage productively in a conversation about gun safety, but also to launch a statewide awareness campaign aimed at reducing suicide deaths caused by firearms. Thanks to the efforts of the New Hampshire Firearm Safety Coalition, nearly half of New Hampshire’s gun dealers now display suicide prevention materials in their stores. Guns account for more suicides than all other suicide methods combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because they are much more lethal. By providing anti-suicide messages at the point of sale, the coalition hopes to reach those who might be buying a gun on an impulse to harm themselves immediately. The materials include a tip sheet for gun retailers to help them recognize warning signs in such customers, as well as posters and handouts advising people who are struggling to seek help and temporarily reduce their own access to firearms.
Spark Extra! Learn more about the New Hampshire Firearm Safety Coalition and its ongoing work.