Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Firearms Instructors
Firearms instructors can save lives by including suicide prevention messaging in firearms courses.
Begin including suicide prevention in your firearms courses
Over 60% of firearms owners in the U.S have received formal instruction in firearm safety, yet most firearm courses to date do not include suicide prevention. Suicide accounts for over 50% of all firearms-related deaths in the U.S., so including suicide prevention in firearm safety courses is critical. Learn more about firearms suicide.
So, what can firearms instructors do?
Since safety is a universal topic in firearms courses, why not include information about how firearms owners can improve the safety of their households when it comes to suicide?
It’s easier than you might think.
AFSP has created a short, scripted slide deck with evidence-based content that instructors can easily use in any firearms course. Plus, it is FREE to download and use. Simply follow this link or click the button below to download the slide deck.
Provide Printed Suicide Prevention Materials During Courses
Providing printed suicide prevention materials is a great way to incorporate suicide prevention content into firearms courses. We’ve partnered with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for America's firearms industry, to create a brochure that is available for free distribution. View the brochure. If you are interested in receiving copies of the brochure, please email [email protected].
Learn More About Suicide Prevention Strategies and Resources
Suicide Statistics in the U.S.
Review the latest data and trends relating to suicide in the U.S.
Learn About Risk Factors, Protective Factors, and Warning Signs
From research, we know the warning signs of suicide, factors that can put people at increased risk of suicide, and also factors that can help protect against suicide. Learn more.
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
AFSP’s signature program Talk Saves Lives is an introduction to suicide prevention that goes a little deeper than the slides in the downloadable toolkit. To learn more, visit afsp.org/talksaveslives or find a local chapter and request this free presentation.
After a Suicide: A Guide for Firearms Retailers and Range Owners
This guide was developed to provide practical guidance to firearms retailers and range owners in the rare event that a suicide occurs at the facility. Download a copy and share it with the retailers and ranges you work with.
Learning More: Suicide Prevention Research Videos
If you are interested in learning more about what suicide prevention research has shown us regarding firearms suicide, watch videos from suicide prevention researchers.
Support for Suicide Loss Survivors
Supporting people who have lost loved ones to suicide is an important strategy to preventing suicide. Find helpful resources and learn more about suicide loss.
Focus on Firearms
I want to understand more about firearms and suicide
Firearms are involved in over 50% of all suicides in the U.S., and AFSP is leading the effort to educate firearm owners to prevent this leading cause of death. Suicide also accounts for most firearm deaths in the U.S.
Protecting yourself and others
Firearm owners and people that live in households with firearms must take action to protect against suicide.
Firearm retailers, ranges, and instructors
By recognizing the unique needs of firearm ranges, retailers, instructors, and other firearm industry sectors, AFSP is helping to connect firearms owners with life-saving information about suicide prevention and secure firearm storage.
I want to understand AFSP's stance on firearm policies
AFSP supports legislation to expand research and public education on suicide and firearms; voluntary removal and safe storage initiatives; lethal means counseling; and the use of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) when necessary.