US Military Prioritizes Suicide Prevention Efforts, Delays Gun Control Action

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered improvements in access to mental health care to reduce suicides in the military, but has deferred action on more controversial recommendations to restrict gun and ammunition purchases by young troops, sending them to another panel for study. Austin called for the establishment of a suicide prevention working group to assess the advisability and feasibility of recommendations made by the initial study committee, which would include the gun measures. The initial study committee recommended that the department require anyone living in military housing to register all privately owned firearms.