Related Projects
TAP’s work is supported through collaboration, partnership, and affiliation with other suicide prevention research initiatives and related projects.
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Gun Show Outreach
Having a Presence
Over the past two years, a record number of firearms have been purchased and traded at gun shows, many by first-time gun owners. Gun shows are a perfect place to raise awareness about the problem of firearm suicide and to promote secure firearm storage as a suicide prevention strategy.
There are as many as five gun shows per month in Louisiana. We are partnering with gun show vendors to create a presence for The Armory Project, starting with the gun show in the New Orleans area. We also advise other suicide prevention advocates and volunteers to conduct similar outreach at gun shows across the state.
Relationships & Resources
By having a presence at gun shows, we are able to:
Connect with gun show vendors and attendees to increase awareness of the problem of firearm suicide
Distribute educational materials and resources to gun show attendees and vendors
Forge relationships with firearm retailers and instructors to grow TAP’s reach and recruit new storage partners
We welcome your help!
Look for the VISION table and visit us at the Great Southern Gun and Knife Show in Kenner. Click here to see dates and get more information.
Find out more about volunteering at our table at a future gun show in Kenner by submitting this volunteer form.
Check out locations of other gun shows across Louisiana here and ask us about organizing a table at a gun show in your area. We can provide you with tips, printed materials, and other support. Contact us to let us know you’re interested.
Saving Lives Together
Promoting Secure Storage
Firearm suicide accounts for 44% of all Louisiana firearm-related deaths. Veterans represent about 14% of annual suicides in Louisiana and use a firearm in ~82% of such cases. Despite these trends, suicide prevention is not often discussed openly among firearm owners and veterans. Following the lead of Utah’s firearm community, our research team developed a brief video and slide deck that introduces concepts of firearm safety for suicide prevention.
Saving Lives Together is a project that includes firearm instructors who lead concealed carry classes.
These partners are certified instructors who have agreed to help spread awareness at a critical juncture – when responsible firearm owners are seeking firearm training. Our brief learning module increases awareness of the importance of secure firearm storage to prevent suicide and serves as a resource for Louisiana firearm instructors to share with their students.
Knowledge is Power
This video featuring two Louisiana military veterans provides valuable information on preventing firearm suicides through secure firearm storage. Putting time and distance between a person in a suicidal crisis and a loaded gun may save a life.
Louisiana veterans Raul Fuster and Eva Alexander are featured in this video discussing firearm safety for suicide prevention. The development of this video was a collaboration that included our research and engagement team, veteran firearm owners, and firearm instructors.
The video is part of this learning module we created, and we recruited area firearm instructors who shared the module in concealed carry classes. We hope the video will be shared widely to spread awareness of how firearm owners and families can all play a role in preventing firearm suicides.
Engaging Caregivers
Learning from the front lines
We conducted a nationwide research study on preventing Veteran and caregiver suicides with two objectives: 1) to understand how caregivers think about secure firearm storage messaging & practices; and 2) to learn from caregivers about the best ways to promote secure firearm storage to prevent suicides.
We are listening to rural families and caregivers to learn how suicide prevention efforts can better serve their needs while engaging liaisons and advocates in the conversation to prevent firearm suicides. This initiative is important because of the unique circumstances of rural families and caregivers.
“Caregivers are our first line of defense in protecting veterans from taking their own lives. They provide physical and emotional support in good times and bad…”
— Senator Elizabeth Dole
A study indicates that nearly 24% of caregivers surveyed indicated they had attempted or had thoughts of harming themselves.
Moving Forward
We welcome your help and partnership!
Learn more about this research by contacting Gala True (Principal Investigator) at Jennifer.True2@va.gov.