Today, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action applauded the White House’s announcement of new actions to prevent suicide by promoting secure storage of firearms. In September, Everytown sent the White House a detailed list of executive actions the Biden-Harris administration can take to help prevent suicide among Americans and promote secure storage, a number of which were included in the White House rollout. The new actions announced today include:
- Launching an unprecedented focus on improving lethal means safety in the Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Strategy,
- Making it easier for customers to obtain secure gun storage or safety devices from gun dealers, and
- Promoting best practices for federal firearms dealers, including customer education regarding safety and security for firearms owners.
“The Biden-Harris administration is blazing a new path on the issue of secure gun storage, which will help keep guns out of the hands of those that are a danger to themselves and others and will, quite simply, save lives,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. We look forward to continuing our work with this administration to address the gun violence crisis that takes the lives of tens of thousands each year.
“Suicide, particularly among veterans, is a public health crisis in our country that we can’t solve without addressing easy access to guns,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “The Biden-Harris administration is taking this crisis seriously and heeding our call to take common-sense steps to keep guns out of the hands of those in crisis. These measures will save lives.”
“As a career Marine and firefighter, I know the importance of gun safety and how lethal guns can be in a moment of crisis: it’s only because I didn’t have easy access to a firearm when I was suicidal that I am alive right now,” said Top Washington, a former Marine and a member of Everytown’s Veteran Advisory Council. “This plan touches on the most important aspects of gun safety when a firearm is in the home and there’s no doubt in my mind it will save lives. I’m grateful to the Administration for once again putting families, veterans, and gun safety at the forefront of their work.”
