Suicide and gun safety
Safely storing your guns
Suicide is impulsive. In a moment of crisis, time and space between you and a gun can make all the difference. Quick access to guns during tough times can lead to decisions resulting in harm or death. To prevent these, there are plenty of tools you can use to practice safe storage.
Everyone has bad days and growing older can come with difficult challenges. These challenges could lead to feelings of sadness or shame or lead to other warning signs (see below). If these feelings disrupt your life or go on for too long, it might be a sign that there is a bigger problem. This is especially true for older adults, who can be at higher risk of suicide.
Safely storing your guns
Suicide is impulsive. In a moment of crisis, time and space between you and a gun can make all the difference. Quick access to guns during tough times can lead to decisions resulting in harm or death. To prevent these, there are plenty of tools you can use to practice safe storage.
The 11 Commandments of Gun Safety brochure includes different firearm safety options to protect you and your loved ones. Included are ways you can temporarily store firearms outside of the home. Safe Firearm Storage Matters from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has additional helpful information for Veterans.
Free firearm safety kits are available upon request at many locations throughout Santa Clara County through Project ChildSafe. The program is a National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) initiative to promote firearm safety and education. Find a location close to you.
Veterans can also get free gun locks by request at any VA location.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Firearms and Suicide Prevention is a detailed webpage providing information on the relationship between suicide and firearms, extra steps to prevent firearm suicide, and how to cope with loss of a loved one to gun suicide. The page also includes gun suicide research, suicide risk factors and warning signs, resources to provide help, and reminders on how to stay safe.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Means Matter is a suicide prevention campaign aimed at promoting reduction of access to lethal means for suicide. The page contains research, information and FAQs, resources, and ways to promote means reduction to help prevent suicide.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means is a webpage with helpful brochures, fact sheets, and tip sheets on how to reduce suicide risk through safe storage at home, firearm safety, and more.
The County of Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office accepts firearms and ammunition at its stations in San Jose, Cupertino, and San Martin. If you feel that you or someone in your household is at risk of harming themselves or anyone else, you can turn in your guns. Instructions on how to turn over your firearm and/or ammunition are below.
Visit How to Voluntarily Relinquish Firearms to the Sheriff's Office or call 408-299-2311 and tell the dispatcher.
Sheriff’s headquarters
55 W. Younger Ave., San Jose
Open all day and night
West Valley Division
1601 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino
Monday-Friday from 8am to 3pm
South County Station
80 W. Highland Ave., San Martin
Monday-Friday from 8am to 3pm
GVROs can help temporarily remove guns and prevent new ones from being purchased by someone who is at risk of harming themselves or others. If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk, you can file for a GVRO. Family members, household members, some employers, colleagues, teachers, and law enforcement are eligible to file. Learn more about GVROs and how to file one at https://speakforsafety.org/.
What to do:
When someone is showing warning signs or struggling with thoughts of suicide, even as you seek help, it’s important to keep the immediate surroundings safe. Clear away any potentially lethal items from your household; these include firearms, medications, knives and scissors, and any items that could be used as ligatures (e.g. belts, ropes, shoelaces). You can find more ways to keep someone safe in Suicide by Ligature: A Caregivers Support Guide.
Firearms can be temporarily stored outside of the home. The resources below include different firearm safety options to protect you and your loved ones, or you can consult the 11 Commandments of Gun Safety.
Talk to your doctor or any other health care or mental health professional, such as a nurse, therapist or counselor. Do not be afraid to tell them what you are feeling and let them know what has changed. They can help you pinpoint problems and discuss treatment options.
Friends and family members may have noticed a change that you cannot see. Share your feelings and listen to what they have to say. Faith leaders or spiritual advisors can also be a good place to start.
If you belong to a community organization, support group, or participate in any other community-based programs, talk to a fellow member, staff person, or volunteer about support or resources.
Contact one of the mental health and suicide prevention services listed below to speak with an experienced professional. Asking for help is a sign of strength.
Resources to help:
Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline
Dial 9-8-8
Trained volunteer counselors available 24/7
Free and confidential
Crisis Text Line Number
Text RENEW to 741741
Trained volunteer counselors available by text message 24/7
Free and confidential
Veterans’ Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255; press 1
1-800-799-4889, for deaf and hard of hearing
Text any message to 838255
Connect with qualified, caring VA responders 24/7
Free and confidential
LGBT National Senior Hotline
1-888-234-7243
Monday- Friday 1pm to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm
Telephone peer support, information and local resources.
SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline
1-877-360-LGBT (5428)
24 hours, 7 days a week
You can request to speak with someone in English or Spanish. Talk with friendly responders who are ready to listen. If you are an LGBT elder or care for one, call the free SAGE Hotline.
The Friendship Line – Institute on Aging
1-415-750-4111
Free, 24-hour accredited crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for non-emergency emotional support calls.
Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Call Center
1-800-704-0900
For more information about all Santa Clara County behavioral health programs, or to see if you qualify.
Sourcewise
mysourcewise.com
Main Office
1-408-350-3200
3100 De La Cruz Blvd, Suite 310, Santa Clara
South County Office
1-408-762-7362
16340 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill
Speak with a Health Insurance Counselor for details about your Medicare choices. Counseling sessions are free.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Phone: 408-453-0400
Address: 1150 South Bascom Ave., Suite 24, San Jose, CA 95128
namisantaclara.org
The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Make the Connection
maketheconnection.net
Online resource for veterans to hear stories of recovery and access resources.
Santa Clara County Survivors of Suicide (SOS) Support Group
Phone: 408-885-6216
Address: 871 Enborg Court, San Jose, CA 95128
Support for those who have lost someone to suicide.
The clinic provides screening, assessment, crisis intervention, referral and short-term treatment to adolescents and adults experiencing a behavioral health crisis and need immediate help, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
Phone: 408-885-7855
Address: 2221 Enborg Lane, San Jose, CA 95128
Hour: Open every day from 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Speak with a clinician to who can screen and assess mental health or suicide crisis situations over the phone and intervene wherever the crisis is occurring.
Dial 9-8-8
Open 24-hours, 7 days a week
If calling 911 for a mental health-related emergency, request a police officer with Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.
Hear Yvonne's Story
“If those guns had not been safely stored, she wouldn't have had a chance to change her mind.”
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Hear Pete's Story
“Safely storing guns could save a life.”
*By clicking on the “Watch External Video” button, you will leave this website, enter a non-County of Santa Clara website, and be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy. Please see our Links Policy for more information.
Hear Peter's Story
“Suicide by firearm is a concern and something we should be talking about.”
*By clicking on the “Watch External Video” button, you will leave this website, enter a non-County of Santa Clara website, and be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy. Please see our Links Policy for more information.