A statement issued today by the White House addresses suicide by gun, stating that firearms account for two-thirds of all suicide deaths in the U.S. The statement also emphasizes the need to reduce and prevent military and veteran suicide, as well as the importance of educating the public overall on the need for safer storage practices as an important measure in helping to prevent the suicide of a loved one by firearm.

“Before deciding whether to keep a firearm in their home, families should know that having access to a gun triples one’s risk of death by suicide. If they choose to purchase a firearm, responsible gun owners should safely store their firearms to prevent individuals who could be a danger to themselves or others from using the weapon.”

Additional information and resources are available on our Suicide Prevention page.