NSSF's 'Gun Storage Check Week' is Sept. 1-7 During National Suicide Prevention Month

Securely storing firearms creates 'time and distance' and can prevent suicide. Win a Winchester gun safe at GunStorageCheck.org.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, recognizes the importance of National Suicide Prevention Month by running its Gun Storage Check Week^® campaign September 1-7. Gun Storage Check Week reminds firearm owners to review their storage practices to "Make Sure It's Secure^®."

"In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), NSSF works diligently to provide the firearm-owning community with education about preventing suicide," said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF's President and CEO. "One of the most effective methods for preventing suicide is deterring access to firearms and other means during a time of crisis. That's why during Gun Storage Check Week we're asking gun owners and their families to do their part to help prevent suicide, as well as accidents and thefts, by securely storing firearms when not in use."

During Gun Storage Check Week, visitors to GunStorageCheck.org can enter to win a full-size Bandit 19 gun safe donated by Winchester Safes. Additional entries to win can be earned by watching a short video on suicide prevention. Also on the website is a new video from Winchester featuring TV show host Melissa Bachman on how to maintain an orderly gun safe.

Noting that 58 percent of firearm fatalities are suicide deaths and 74 percent of veteran suicides involve a firearm, Bartozzi said, "Gun owners and their families have it in their power to save lives. Securely storing firearms creates 'time and distance' between a person with suicidal thoughts and a method of self-harm. This pause allows time for immediate thoughts of suicide to pass and for connecting a person to care." Temporary offsite storage is also an option but remember to follow all applicable firearm transfer laws.

"It's important to know that suicide is preventable," added Bartozzi. "All of us can become more open to talking about mental health challenges and life struggles that may increase the risk of suicide, and we can discuss storage options to prevent access when someone is going through a difficult time. Supporting someone who is struggling and being respectful of the right to own firearms can go together."

On GunStorageCheck.org, NSSF provides the NSSF-AFSP brochure on suicide prevention that discusses warning signs and how to have a "brave conversation" with someone you're worried about. NSSF also has added resources for veterans, including links to the VA's "Don't wait. Reach out" program. The NSSF-AFSP suicide prevention toolkit is available to firearm retailers and shooting ranges.

NSSF encourages everyone to remember the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 is the number to call/text/chat if you or someone you know is struggling.

Storage Devices

Gun Storage Check Week's safety resources highlight many options to store firearms securely so that guns are off limits to unauthorized persons. Secure gun storage devices include:

• cable locks—often available free of charge, including through NSSF's Project ChildSafe^® program
• lock boxes—storage solutions for guns kept for home security and in vehicles
• lockable gun cases—for security and portability
• full-size gun cabinets and safes—for owners with multiple firearms to protect, including against fire and theft.
• Digital devices linked to apps that warn owners when safes or firearms are tampered with or jostled.

"Periodically, gun owners should review their firearm storage practices because people's lives change—a child grows older and becomes more curious, a teenager or adult happens to be going through a rough patch in life," said Bartozzi. "These and other situations might require a change in storage habits or devices."

"Make Gun Storage Check Week the time you check on safety in your home by making sure firearms are secured from unwanted access," added Bartozzi.

Promotional Materials

Organizations, companies, law enforcement and individuals can help increase the visibility of Gun Storage Check Week by using promotional materials available at GunStorageCheck.org. NSSF established Gun Storage Check Week as a national awareness campaign in 2024, and with the assistance of its industry and organizational partners Gun Storage Check Week has reached millions of gun owners with its "Make Sure It's Secure" message.

SOURCE NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION