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Gun Safety & Suicide Prevention

Gun Safety and Suicide Prevention Materials

In accordance with Rhode Island State Law S2202, all school districts are required to annually distribute informational flyers to all enrolled students and their families regarding the importance of secure firearm storage, associated risks, state storage laws, and available suicide prevention and behavioral health resources.

Linked below are multilingual flyers developed by the Rhode Island Departments of Health and Rhode Island Department of Education to support compliance with this requirement. The Rhode Island full legislation can be found here: S2202.pdf.

Why is secure firearm storage important?
  • Firearms are the leading cause of death in US children and youth up to age 24. Firearms kill more children than car crashes, overdoses, or cancer.
  • One in three children in the US live in a home with a firearm. In those homes, more than half of the firearms are not stored safely.
  • More than 700 children die by firearm suicide each year, and the firearm usually belongs to a family member.
  • At least one-third of youth gun suicides and unintentional deaths could be prevented with increased secure storage.
  • Nearly 360 children younger than eighteen accidentally shoot themselves or someone else each year.
  • According to the Surgeon General, 56% of unintentional firearm deaths among children and adolescents happen in their own home. In cases where there is information about firearm storage, 76% of the firearms were stored unlocked.
  • Keeping firearms and ammunition locked is associated with a lower risk of firearm injuries for children and teens in homes where guns are stored

Safe and secure firearms storage prevents suicide, homicide, unintentional injuries, and theft. All firearms owners need to keep children and teens safe from firearms.

WARNING: Access to a firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, death during domestic violence disputes, and the unintentional death of children, household members, or others.

If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide; experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis; or are in emotional distress, trained crisis counselors are available 24/7/365. For support, please call 988, text 988, or chat with support staff at 988lifeline.org.