Save lives

Firearms are 90% lethal when used for a means for suicide

Creating time and distance between a person experiencing a suicidal crisis and a firearm could save

In Times Of Crisis:

Temporarily store firearms at an offsite safe storage location or give firearms to a trusted friend or family member to temporarily hold.**

Lock firearms in a safe and put crisis line numbers and photos of loved ones on the outside of the safe.

Store firearm, magazine, and ammunition in three separate locations.

Use a cable lock and give someone you trust the key to hold temporarily.

Lock firearm in safe and have someone you trust change the combination.

Give your ammunition to a friend or family member to temporarily keep safe.

Disassemble the firearm and give a non-registered part to a friend or family member.

Any strategy that builds time and distance between a person at risk and a firearm will keep everyone safer.

**As per ORS 166.435 Firearm transfer by unlicensed persons: Section (F) For the purpose of preventing imminent death or serious physical injury, and the provision lasts only as long as is necessary to prevent the death or serious physical injury

Oregon state shooting association - safety and wellness.

The Oregon State Shooting Association (OSSA) is committed to promoting and practicing SAFETY and WELLNESS in the shooting sports and communities of Oregon. SAFETY and WELLNESS starts with basic firearms safety handling procedures and safety while enjoying shooting sports, but it also includes safety in secure storage with an emphasis on safety within our families and community, especially with our children and those with crises or mental challenges affecting their lives.

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Myth: If I ask, it might give them the idea for suicide.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Fact: We all struggle from time to time, it’s okay to ask directly if a friend or family member is having thoughts of suicide, in fact – research has shown that asking directly can actually reduce the risk for suicide.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Fact: This is not the case. Often, feeling actively suicidal is temporary due to crisis that does pass. 90% of people that survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Fact: Firearms are more lethal than all other means for suicide combined. Limiting access to a lethal means during a suicidal crisis is the best way to keep a person safe and make sure they get a second chance.

Asking about suicide

Asking a person about suicide will NOT give them the idea for suicide.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention advises the following when asking about suicide:

If you are concerned about someone assume you’re the only one who will reach out – and reaching out can save a life. Listen to their story and let them know you care. Ask directly about suicide, calmly and without judgement. Show understanding and take their concerns seriously. Let them know their life matters to you. That one conversation could save a life.

Have an honest conversation

— Talk to them in private

— Listen to their story

— Tell them you care about them

— Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide

— Encourage them to seek treatment or contact their doctor or therapist

— Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problems or giving advice

If a person says they are considering suicide

— Take the person seriously

— Stay with them

— Help them remove lethal means – such as firearm and medication

— Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

— Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor

— Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room

Suicide does not have a single cause, but here are some signs to look out for:

Talking about: Wanting to die, being a burden to others, or having no reason to live.

Expressing feelings of: Emptiness, hopelessness, agitation, being in unbearable emotional or physical pain.

Changing behavior, such as: Making a plan or researching ways to die, withdrawing from friends, calling or visiting to say goodbye or giving away important possessions.

Stressful life situations: Relationship breakup or divorce, loss of a job, loss of a loved one, transitioning from the military to civilian life.

Mood: Depression, anxiety, loss of interest.

Having a history of: Previous suicide attempts, mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, substance use problems, a family history of suicide.

OSSA OFSC OASR firearm suicide prevention

Let's Have Each Others Backs and be Prepared to Help

Firearms are 90% lethal when used for a means for suicide

Creating time and distance between a person experiencing a suicidal crisis and a firearm could save

Oregon state shooting association - safety and wellness.

Suicide Myths

Myth: If I ask, it might give them the idea for suicide.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Asking about suicide

Asking a person about suicide will NOT give them the idea for suicide.

Signs that a person might be at risk for suicide

Suicide does not have a single cause, but here are some signs to look out for:

Donate to support our work

OSSA OFSC OASR firearm suicide prevention

Let's Have Each Others Backs and be Prepared to Help

Firearms are 90% lethal when used for a means for suicide

Creating time and distance between a person experiencing a suicidal crisis and a firearm could save

Oregon state shooting association - safety and wellness.

Suicide Myths

Myth: If I ask, it might give them the idea for suicide.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If you stop someone from killing themselves, they will only try again later.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Myth: If a person cannot use a firearm for suicide, they will just use something else.

Asking about suicide

Asking a person about suicide will NOT give them the idea for suicide.

Signs that a person might be at risk for suicide

Suicide does not have a single cause, but here are some signs to look out for:

Donate to support our work

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