This project is designed to prevent suicides in Minnesota. Partnering with individuals, organizations, direarm retailers/ranges, and police departments throughout Minnesota, we are identifying sites where people can voluntarily and temporarily store firearms. We have created a map of these storage sites. To date, we have focused on a few pilot regions in Minnesota, but our goal is to eventually expand the map to all of Minnesota.
Firearms matter to people. For many people, owning a firearm simply is part of who they are. However, for someone experiencing a mental health crisis or at risk of suicide, firearms can create risks. Creating local options for people to voluntarily surrender their firearms during such times of need, even just for a while, can save lives.
But what to do with those firearms? This is where the firearm storage map comes in. Suicides tear families and communities apart. Offering out-of-home firearm storage in times of crisis is an act of loyalty, commitment, and service. Using voluntary out-of-home firearm storage in times of need is an act of courage. Voluntary firearm storage preserves individuals’ agency and will help protect and heal Minnesota communities.