Bill Summary
The resolution expresses support for the designation of September 9, 2025, as "National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day." It aims to raise awareness about the growing crisis of firearm suicides in the United States and to promote safe firearm storage as a critical element in suicide prevention efforts. The resolution highlights alarming statistics, such as the fact that firearms are involved in 55% of all suicides and that easy access to guns significantly increases suicide risk. It emphasizes the need for safe gun storage, especially in homes with children, to reduce the likelihood of fatal suicide attempts. The resolution encourages public health officials and medical professionals to engage in discussions about gun safety and suicide prevention, and it aligns with the goals of existing programs promoting safe firearm storage. Overall, it seeks to address a pressing public health issue through education and advocacy.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the resolution designating September 9, 2025, as "National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day" could affect people:
1. **Increased Awareness and Education**: The resolution promotes education about the firearm suicide crisis, which could lead to greater public awareness of the risks associated with firearm access and suicide. By designating a specific day for this purpose, community organizations and health professionals may hold events, workshops, and discussions that inform individuals about safe firearm storage practices. This education could help prevent firearm-related suicides by encouraging responsible gun ownership and storage.
2. **Enhanced Preventive Measures**: By emphasizing the importance of safe firearm storage as a suicide prevention strategy, the resolution may encourage gun owners to adopt safer practices. This could result in a tangible decrease in access to firearms for individuals at risk, particularly youth and vulnerable populations. If households practice safe storage, it is likely that the number of impulsive suicides could decrease, benefiting families and communities at large.
3. **Support for Vulnerable Groups**: The resolution highlights the disproportionate impact of firearm suicides on specific demographics, such as Native American/Alaska Native youth and elder white males. By recognizing these groups' unique challenges, the resolution could lead to targeted outreach and support initiatives aimed at these populations. This might involve collaborations with local organizations to address mental health resources and firearm safety education tailored to their specific needs, ultimately aiming to lower suicide rates in these communities.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 684 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 684
Expressing support for the designation of September 9, 2025, as
``National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day'' to educate about the
growing firearm suicide crisis in the United States and promote the
importance of storing firearms safely and securely as an essential
component of suicide prevention.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 9, 2025
Ms. Brownley (for herself, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Min,
Mr. Huffman, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Schrier, Ms. Titus, Mr. Carbajal,
Mrs. Dingell, Mrs. Fletcher, Ms. Crockett, Ms. Elfreth, Mr.
Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Tran, Mr. Johnson of
Georgia, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. Olszewski, Mr. Nadler, Mr.
Goldman of New York, Ms. Norton, Ms. Balint, Mr. Kennedy of New York,
Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Budzinski,
Mr. Deluzio, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Craig, Mr. DeSaulnier, Ms. Morrison, Ms.
Bonamici, Ms. Randall, Ms. Simon, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Ross, Mr. Levin,
Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Ms. McClellan, Mr. Whitesides, Ms. Matsui, Ms.
Kamlager-Dove, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Chu, Mrs. Torres of California, Mr.
Casten, Mrs. Sykes, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Vargas, Ms. DeGette, and Mr. Takano)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of September 9, 2025, as
``National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day'' to educate about the
growing firearm suicide crisis in the United States and promote the
importance of storing firearms safely and securely as an essential
component of suicide prevention.
Whereas each and every day in the United States, 74 individuals lose their life
to firearm suicide;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National
Center for Health Statistics, in 2023, a firearm was used in 55 percent
of all suicides in the United States;
Whereas firearm suicide rates across the United States increased by 14 percent
over the past decade;
Whereas firearms are by far the deadliest method of suicide, and 90 percent of
suicide attempts with a gun are fatal;
Whereas easy access to firearms triples the risk of suicide;
Whereas 4,600,000 children live in homes with access to an unlocked or
unsupervised gun;
Whereas in 75 percent of youth firearm suicides, the gun storage method was
identified, and the gun was stored loaded and unlocked;
Whereas firearm suicides among children have increased by 57 percent in the
United States;
Whereas Native American/Alaska Native youth have seen the greatest increase in
suicide rate, while Black children face the highest suicide rate amongst
all preteens in the United States;
Whereas elder white males (ages 70+) face the highest rates of gun suicide
compared to any other demographic;
Whereas 71 percent of veteran suicide deaths are the result of a firearm;
Whereas simply storing a firearm safely is a factor known to reduce the
likelihood of a gun owner dying by firearm suicide;
Whereas recent studies have noted that even a 20 percent increase in the number
of households in the United States practicing safe storage could prevent
almost one-third of all annual youth gun deaths from suicide and
unintentional shootings;
Whereas a November 2017 Government Accountability Office report, ``Personal
Firearms: Programs that Promote Safe Storage and Research on Their
Effectiveness'', identified 16 public or nonprofit programs that promote
safe gun storage;
Whereas ``Firearm Suicide Prevention Day'', founded by Brady and End Family
Fire, is held annually on the second Tuesday in September as an
opportunity to promote awareness about growing firearm suicide crisis in
the United States and the evidence-based role of safe firearm storage in
preventing it; and
Whereas September 9, 2025, is the second Tuesday in September and is designated
by national and local organizations as ``Firearm Suicide Prevention
Day'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``National Firearm Suicide
Prevention Day'' to encourage storing firearms safely and
securely as an essential component of suicide prevention;
(2) encourages public health, medical, and other
professionals to discuss gun ownership, gun safety, safe
storage in the home, and suicide prevention with their
patients; and
(3) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Firearm
Suicide Prevention Day''.
<all>