Creation of online maps for voluntary out-of-home firearm storage: Experiences and opportunities

The armory project: Partnering with firearm retailers to promote and provide voluntary out‐of‐home firearm storage

“…Voluntary out‐of‐home firearm storage is an important suicide prevention option that requires further evaluation (Betz et al, 2022; Simonetti, Simeona et al, 2019). Although this concept appears acceptable to firearm owners (True et al, 2020), several concerns may impede overall feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of out‐of‐home LMS options (Betz et al, 2023; Pierpoint et al, 2019; True et al, 2020). In this study, we attempted to address barriers to out‐of‐home storage by partnering with three Veteran‐owned firearm retailers to establish an out‐of‐home firearm storage program.…”

“…To our knowledge, this study is the first to use a community‐engaged approach to develop and implement an out‐of‐home firearm storage program. Given reservations noted by firearm owners and firearm retailers (Pierpoint et al, 2019; True et al, 2020), as well as public health researchers (Betz et al, 2023), involvement of firearm‐owning partners at every stage of the program was believed to be important in overcoming barriers. Additionally, we believe that this study is the first to examine the effectiveness of out‐of‐home storage efforts although additional research is underway in this area (Betz et al, 2022).…”

“…Specifically, firearm owners have indicated preference that the holder of the firearm (1) is a trusted and safe individual or organization; (2) has the storage capacity to ensure the firearm(s) will not be damaged; (3) can ensure that children or others would not be at risk; (4) can ensure costs, both to the holder and the owner, will be minimal; (5) can return the firearm(s) to the owner when desired; and (6) is a firearm retailer as opposed to a law enforcement agency (True et al, 2020). Firearm retailers share many of the same concerns, highlighting storage space, cost of storage, and liability, both while holding the firearm and after returning a firearm to the owner, as potential barriers to offering temporary storage (Betz et al, 2023; Pierpoint et al, 2019). Importantly, the extent to which existing LMS efforts address these barriers and facilitate out‐of‐home storage has not been systematically examined.…”

Firearm Injuries during Pregnancy in the USA

“…Passive actions, such as increasing the green space in firearm-injury-prone areas [ 40 ] and the demolition of abandoned buildings [ 41 ] are other possibilities. Online maps showing locations for voluntary, temporary firearm storage (especially useful for suicide victims) [ 42 ] and social media applications [ 43 ] are further possibilities. Community-based programs, such as gun buy-backs and other community-based prevention programs may be helpful, but they need to be deployed in culturally sensitive and trauma-informed manners, address social determinants of health, be appropriately funded, and include proper personnel training [ 44 ].…”