"Safe Storage Movement Gains Traction Amid Rising Suicide Rates Linked to Guns"
Storing guns away from home can significantly reduce the risk of suicide, and public health officials in Montana are working to encourage more people to store firearms for family and friends. A new law in Montana protects those who store firearms for others from legal liabilities if someone harms themselves after picking up their gun. Montana has the second highest suicide rate in the country, with nearly nine out of 10 gun deaths being suicides. However, there are legal barriers and confusion surrounding safe storage, including background checks and state-specific laws. Efforts are being made to create safe storage maps and engage gun owners and the gun industry in conversations about safe storage, but more long-term messaging campaigns are needed to change behavior on a larger scale.