Secure storage buys time, and time saves lives

Secure storage of lethal means gives difficult moments time to pass.

Securely storing firearms and medications in your home is critical to preventing a suicide crisis. When a firearm is stored securely (locked, unloaded, with ammunition stored separately) and when medications are locked up, there is time and space to work through dark thoughts and get help.

Time can allow for a crisis to pass. Research on suicide shows that these moments are often brief, and putting a few steps between a person and lethal means can be the difference between a close call and death. That’s the whole idea behind Keep It Secure, VA’s effort to help Veterans, their families, and supporters store these things securely.

Why time and distance matter

Crisis can happen for many different reasons, anger that spikes out of nowhere, a night that goes sideways, dealing with chronic pain or mental health issues, or the low that follows a loss or a health scare. And these feelings often don’t last forever. However, a moment of intense pain and easy access to lethal means can turn a survivable day or night into a tragedy. What are lethal means? They’re methods that can be used in a suicide attempt, with some, such as firearms, having a much higher likelihood of resulting in death than others.

Secure storage changes the math. Storing firearms locked and separate from ammunition, using a cable gun lock, or keeping them off-site for a while means that even in the worst moments, there’s a pause built in. The same goes for keeping medications locked up or limiting how much is within easy reach. None of these actions mean taking anything away for good, but they do add a few steps that can make dark thoughts lose their grip.

An act of strength, not weakness

If you served, you already know the value of securing your gear and looking out for the people next to you. Secure storage is the same strategy. It’s a responsible move you make for yourself, your family (especially if you have children in the home), and your battle buddies, the same way you’d clear a weapon or lock up anything else that demands respect. Secure storage gives you a moment to pause and get your bearings.

Plenty of Veterans take extra precaution with firearms and medications simply because a kid, a grandkid, or a friend going through a rough patch might be around. Knowing the signs of crisis can also help you recognize when it’s worth adding extra distance from lethal means for a while, for yourself or for a Veteran in your community. You might not always need to store firearms and ammo separately, especially if you own them for home defense. But keeping tabs on you, on how you’re feeling, can help you recognize when an added layer of safety would be a smart move.

Free locks and tools VA offers

You don’t have to buy anything fancy to do this. VA offers free gun locks and information on secure storage options. And for a closer look at how this habit plays out in real life, read this VA News story on how lethal means safety helps save Veterans’ lives.

It can also help to have a plan ready before a crisis. The Safety Plan app walks you through building one.

VA is in this with you

The Veterans Crisis Line is there for the whole range of hard times, not just emergencies, and there are plenty of good reasons to reach out. You don’t have to save it for someone who needs it more than you. It’s available 24/7 and confidential. Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA healthcare to reach out.

Here’s one doable step for this week: pick a single thing to make more secure. Call or visit your local VA for a free cable gun lock, move ammunition to a separate spot, or lock up medications. One small change can put real time and distance where it counts.