Washington — The American Psychological Association has taken a significant step toward addressing the public health crisis of suicide by adopting a resolution calling for secure firearms storage.
Recognizing the urgent need to address the high prevalence of firearm-related suicides in the United States, APA’s governing Council of Representatives approved, by a vote of 157-6, a resolution aimed at promoting secure firearms storage practices. This resolution underscores the critical role psychologists and health care providers can have in preventing suicides by advocating for secure firearm storage and safety strategies.
Firearms were used in 54.6% of suicides in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, 72% of suicides completed by veterans in 2021 were attributed to firearms, according to the resolution.
The measure emphasizes the effectiveness of actions such as the voluntary secure storage of firearms during a mental health crisis, highlighting research indicating that such steps can prevent suicides by creating time and distance between individuals and lethal means.
“The adoption of this resolution reflects APA’s commitment to addressing the complex issue of suicide prevention,” said APA President Cynthia de las Fuentes, PhD. “By promoting the knowledge of secure firearms storage practices and increasing awareness of lethal means safety, we can save lives and make meaningful progress in reducing suicide rates.”
The resolution also advocates for increased funding at federal, state and local levels to support initiatives aimed at preventing suicides through secure firearms storage practices. And it calls on psychologists, health care professionals, policymakers and the public to support efforts to implement evidence-based strategies outlined in the resolution to prevent suicides and promote mental health and safety in communities across the nation. Finally, it encourages graduate clinical and counseling psychology programs and continuing education programs to train psychology students, psychologists and other public health providers in secure firearms storage strategies to prevent suicide.