• Most suicide deaths involve a firearm, for both veterans and civilians.

  • Access to a firearm makes a suicidal crisis more dangerous.

  • The Armory Project provides options for safe firearm storage with trusted partners.

The Armory Project (TAP) helps prevent firearm suicides by facilitating safe, voluntary, out-of-home firearm storage with trusted firearms dealers and other vetted partners in local communities.

Firearm owners, including military members and veterans, now have more options whenever they need to get firearms out of the home, for any reason.

Firearm Suicide & Veterans

Firearm suicide is an ongoing threat among Veterans.

72%

Percentage of veteran suicides in the U.S. involving a firearm

73%

Percentage of veteran suicides in Louisiana involving a firearm

74%

Percentage of veteran suicides in Arkansas involving a firearm


The above is based on the most recently available data on veteran suicide from 2021.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). Veteran Suicide Data and Reporting. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/data.asp

Firearm Storage Locations

A Statewide Network

TAP started in Louisiana with our first partners in 2021. Today, we have a growing number of storage locations from St. Bernard to Shreveport, and we’re growing our network of partners every month.

Growing Partnerships

We recently welcomed our first Arkansas partners and are developing additional partnerships across Arkansas.

Contact us to learn more about becoming a partner.

Who We Are

The Armory Project (TAP) includes gun shop owners, sporting goods stores, military bases, and other partners who have agreed to provide temporary storage and/or suicide prevention resources to their customers. Many TAP partners are military veterans themselves, and all seek to serve the veteran and firearm owning communities.

The TAP team also includes researchers, veteran consultants and advisors, VA community engagement and partnership coordinators, and an advisory board of experts and advocates. Together, these partners and stakeholders provide a supportive network for the continued expansion of The Armory Project and other efforts like it across the country.

We are proud of the dedication and thoughtfulness of our partners.

Veteran Suicide

Veteran suicide by firearm is an ongoing threat in Louisiana.

Approximately 70% of all veteran suicide deaths involve a firearm. In Louisiana, the rate is as high as 82%.

Methods of veteran suicides. 2017 National Data.

Resources

General Resources

A wide range of tools and information for firearm owners and families, veterans, advocates, and firearm professionals.

Program Resources

Are you interested in bringing TAP to your community? 

Relevant information for developing a project locally and expanding temporary storage options for firearm owners in your area. 

TAP & Related Media

A collection of media, including articles about TAP efforts from a variety of news outlets, a video and a graphic novel we produced, and other related videos.

Together, we can save lives.

TAP works because of the collaboration of firearm retailers (FFLs), firearm instructors, military bases, community groups, veterans, and firearm owners. The Armory Project community welcomes everyone who wants to help prevent firearm suicide and promote safe storage.