Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced the introduction of the Gun Suicide Prevention Act to address the prevalence of suicides by firearms, particularly among veterans. This bill would require firearm manufacturers and retailers to include labels that provide the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).
“The epidemic of gun violence continues to plague communities throughout our country and forever changes the lives of families who have lost someone to gun death. However, the debate surrounding gun safety overlooks the role that guns play in suicide,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “In fact, two-thirds of gun deaths in the United States are from suicides.
“We lose 20 veterans a day to suicide, and 70% percent of veteran suicide deaths are from a gun. As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I work very hard to better the lives of our nation’s veterans, and suicide prevention is one of our highest priorities.
“That is why I have introduced the Gun Suicide Prevention Act, which aims to combat the alarming suicide rate in our country,” continued Brownley. “By labeling every firearm with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, we can help provide a human connection in that critical moment, which we know is a critical tool to preventing suicide.”
The Gun Suicide Prevention Act will require a new label on firearms that reads: “IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE, PLEASE CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT” followed by the toll-free number, currently 800-273-8255 (TALK).
“The Gun Suicide Prevention Act calls for sensible measures to help prevent firearm suicide,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Senior Vice President for Public Policy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “AFSP applauds Congresswoman Brownley for her leadership on legislation that will help spread resources to the gun-owning community and provide a connection to help in a moment of crisis, and save lives.”
This legislation is supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
Read the text of the bill, here.
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Issues: 117th Congress, Gun Safety