Gun Shop Project
Poster Project
Retailers have a unique relationship with their customers and must spend more time with each customer than in most stores. We recognize the challenges retailers face when they must decide if a customer is ready to purchase a firearm. Lock and Talk helps retailers and their customers by providing a poster for the establishment based on the national Means Matter campaign.
Concerned about a family member or friend?
Suicides in Virginia far outnumber homicides. Firearms are the leading method. Attempts with a gun are more deadly than attempts with other methods.
Hold on to their guns
Putting time and distance between a suicidal person and a gun may save a life.
For other ways to help, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
The poster also lists some signs of suicide risk so customers or employees may notice them in themselves or someone else and take action.
Are they suicidal?
- Depressed, angry, impulsive?
- Going through a relationship break-up, legal trouble, or other setback?
- Using drugs or alcohol more?
- Withdrawing from things they used to enjoy?
- Talking about being better off dead?
- Losing hope?
- Acting reckless?
- Feeling trapped?
Are you a firearm dealer interested in displaying this message?
Hanging the poster may be your opportunity to help someone who doesn’t know where to turn for help. You may never know that you helped, or who you helped, but they may spot the national hotline on the poster and reach out on behalf of a friend, family member, or for himself or herself. Anyone can be vulnerable to life’s stresses and putting time and distance between lethal means and suicide behavior can help someone in crisis take time to realize there are other options.
Firearm Safety and Suicide Prevention Handout
Some of our retailers and instructors have requested the slide information as a front and back handout either as a bag stuffer (think September for National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, for example!) or as supplemental take home material after a firearm safety course is completed. We supply color handouts upon request, or the pdf for your printing ease.
Suicide Prevention Slide for Firearm Safety Courses
Lock and Talk provides a single slide to embed into a firearm safety course. This information accompanies the important child safety information you already cover. We provide the slides either via free flash drive or by email as a PowerPoint.
