Firearm Businesses as Partners in Suicide Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Gun Shop Project in Colorado, USA — Erin Wright-Kelly, Jessica Theresa Buck-Atkinson, Marian E. Betz, Kate Little, Jani S. Little, Beverly E. Kingston, Eric Sigel, and Sabrina Arredondo-Mattson (2025)

This study examines how Colorado firearm businesses implemented the Gun Shop Project.

The authors assess which suicide-prevention practices gun stores adopted, how often they intervened with at-risk customers, and what factors encouraged meaningful participation.

1. Gun Stores Support Suicide Prevention More Than They Practice It

2. Direct Interventions Do Occur

3. Education and Training Increase Prevention Efforts

4. Trusted Relationships Matter More Than Regulations

5. The Challenge Is Implementation, Not Willingness

⭐ Star Facts

• 74% were willing to refuse a firearm or ammunition sale to someone in crisis.
• 70% were willing to discuss temporary firearm storage with customers in crisis.
• 70% were willing to direct customers to mental-health services.
• Only 22% regularly discussed secure firearm storage as a suicide-prevention strategy.
• 26% had denied a firearm sale to a customer believed to be in suicidal crisis during the previous year.
• 14% had helped a customer arrange temporary secure firearm storage during a crisis.
• Businesses with greater knowledge, confidence, and motivation were significantly more likely to intervene.
• The authors conclude that the biggest need is turning willingness into consistent practice through ongoing training and support.

🧠 Conclusion

The Gun Shop Project is a suicide-prevention program that partners with firearm businesses to promote secure storage, recognize customers in crisis, and encourage temporary reductions in firearm access.

The study found that the project created willing partners. Many businesses were prepared to intervene, and those with greater knowledge, confidence, and motivation were significantly more likely to do so. ⭐