Safe-Keeping

Distancing the MEANS for self-harm when we’re in a dark place.

Calling for community support!

Family, Friends, Fellow Veterans and the Shooting Community,

Helping a veteran put time and distance between them and their gun may delay their access to a means of suicide…

and save a life.

WARNING: Before you handle a firearm

All firearm industry professionals and recreational shooters recognize that there are potential risks associated with handling a firearm. Please follow the four universal rules on handling firearms before you work with live ammunition and firearms. One should not be afraid of helping a loved one secure a firearm, but it can be done safely.

  1. Always Keep Firearm Pointed in a Safe direction

  2. Treat All Guns as Though They are Loaded

  3. Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger until You are Ready to Shoot

  4. Always Be Sure of Your Target and What’s Beyond It

Temporarily store a complete firearm.

Building a community of loved ones.

DISCLAIMER - We are not attorneys and this is not legal advice, if you have questions, please consult your attorney.

If you are comfortable and that it is legal, a Texas Resident may temporarily take possession or ask a loved one to take possession of a firearm if it is too great of a risk of suicide.

We are not taking away a firearm, or surrendering a firearm, but rather distancing from lethal means and working with a loved one.

Another alternative is to increase layers to the firearm storage such as adding gun locks, storage cases locks and hard-to-access locations. Even a zip-die down the barrel or into the a firearm’s action (mechanism) can help buy time between lethal means and prevent a suicide.

Observe local laws

Texas Residents may take possession of another private party’s a complete firearm without a licensed dealer’s (FFL) involvement and NICS check as long as they fulfill the legality of doing so under laws such as Texas Penal Code § 46.06 Texas Penal Code § 46.13. (You should not supply firearms for known unlawful acts, or knowingly to minors)

However federal laws prohibit the following people from possessing firearms:

  • A felony conviction

  • A domestic violence restraining order against them or a DV misdemeanor conviction

  • History of Involuntary commitment to a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility

  • Being found mentally incompetent by a court

  • Dishonorable discharge from US Armed Forces

  • Undocumented immigrant status

  • Unlawful usage of controlled substances

  • Pistol - Autoloader

    The autoloader type pistols are the most common types of pistols one would encounter in the U.S..

    Due to it’s size, autoloading pistols can be secured by most all methods for temporary storage.

    Storage Recommendations

    • Cable Lock

    • Trigger Lock

    • Small Lockable Pistol Case

    • Gun Safe

    • Critical Component Storage “Secure the Action”

  • Pistol - Revolver

    The revolver was once the predominant pistol in America, and still exists in volume. While the design is older, there are best practices for handling revolvers that we will discuss.

    While revolvers are not easily disassembled like auto-loaders, cable locks and pistol cases can easily aid a temporary storage plan.

    Storage Recommendations

    • Cable Lock

    • Trigger Lock

    • Small Lockable Pistol Case

    • Gun Safe

  • Shotguns

    Shotguns are a symbol of American gun ownership due to their versatility. However their ruggedness and multi-purpose nature can mislead people in thinking that they are very simple.

    Shotguns tend to be larger and longer than pistols, but some may still be secured with cable locks, rifle cases, and trigger locks. Depending on the type of shotgun, and the comfort level of the handler, the critical components like the barrel or bolt may be secured as well.

    Storage Recommendations

    • Cable Lock

    • Trigger Lock

    • Lockable Rifle Case

    • Gun Safe

    • Critical Component Storage “Secure the Action” (model dependent)

  • Rifle - Bolt Action

    The bolt-action rifle is a staple for hunters, competitive shooting scenes and vintage rifle collectors. The simple and yet timeless designs may look similar from afar, but share different design elements and thus may disassemble in different ways.

    Some bolt action rifles can be secured with a cable lock (when they have a detachable magazine), but many others can also be temporarily stored by removing the bolt (critical component) and storing just a bolt separately.

    Storage Recommendations

    • Cable Lock (Model Dependent)

    • Trigger Lock

    • Lockable Rifle Case

    • Gun Safe

    • Critical Component Storage “Secure the Action”

  • Rifle - AR15

    The AR-15 / M16 derived firearms are a major class of rifles present for American owners, especially in Texas.

    Service Members from all branches in the U.S. military since the 60’s have had training on this type of rifle and many enjoy owning a “civilian version” of the rifle that hey had once used in service.

    The AR15 is one of the easiest rifles to temporary store by most methods available. The bolt and firing pin are also easily removable for separate storage as needed.

    Storage Recommendations

    • Cable Lock

    • Trigger Lock (depending on trigger guard)

    • Lockable Rifle Case

    • Gun Safe

    • Critical Component Storage “Secure the Action”

  • Rifle - AK47 / SKS

    The AK47 (Kalashnikov type, inc. AKM, AK74, AK100) and the SKS (Siminov type) rifles were both of Russian origin. Many of these types of civilian semi-auto “Soviet type” rifles are popular with U.S. Service Members who wanted to own the foreign rifle of their opposition.

    The AK / SKS are some of the easiest rifles to temporary store by most methods available. The bolt is also easily removable for separate storage as needed.

    Storage Recommendations

    • Cable Lock

    • Trigger Lock

    • Small Lockable Pistol Case

    • Gun Safe

    • Critical Component Storage “Secure the Action”

  • Rifle - Lever Action

    The lever-action type firearm is one of the older rifle action designs, most associated with the Old West, and very popular in the U.S.

    This is one of the more difficult type of firearm to secure with cable locks or trigger locks, so a full rifle case is recommended.

    Storage Recommendations

    • Lockable Rifle Case

    • Gun Safe

  • Rifle - Vintage U.S. Service Rifles

    Vintage service rifles are very popular with veterans. Notably classics such as the M1 Carbine , M1 Garand and bolt action rifles are popular with veteran collectors.

    While rifles with detachable magazines can be secured with cable locks, most of these rifles are best secured by removing a critical component or a lockable full-sized rifle case.

    Some trigger components may be removable on rifles like the M1 Garand..

    Storage Recommendations

    • Cable Lock (Depending on Magazine)

    • Lockable Rifle Case

    • Gun Safe

    • Critical Component Storage “Secure the Action”

Separate a Critical Part of a Firearm

“Secure the Action”

An easy way to render a firearm safe is to remove critical components.

While this may not apply to all firearms, many firearms are easily disassembled to remove critical components like a bolt, firing pin, barrel or slide.

When smaller (non-serialized) critical components are removed, they are easier to store, physically and legally with a much lower risk of violating any law or endangering children.

If you need help disassembling a firearm, you may click here.

Temporary-Storage Options

  • Cable Lock

    Cable locks are one of the cheapest ways to secure a firearm, but there is a negative social stigma in the firearm community associated with cable locks. However they are still one of the most economical ways of showing that a firearm has been temporarily made clear.

    Due to the way a cable lock is installed, a secured firearm with a cable lock is typically inoperable, but this is not always the case. Ensure proper use of a cable lock and always store ammunition separate of a non-defensive use firearm.

    Cost: $0-$15+

    Difficulty to access: 1/5

  • Lockable Gun Case

    Lockable gun cases are typically purchased to match the size of a firearm. They have a huge difference in price, and some can be TSA approved for those who need to travel/ fly with a firearm.

    It is always best-practice to ensure that firearms are un-loaded and ammunition is removed if you are storing a non-defensive firearm in any type of a case. One could also use a chamber flag or zip-ties as needed.

    Cost: $30-$100+

    Difficulty to access firearm: 2/5 - 4/5*

    *depends on case construction

  • "Secure the Action"

    Holding onto a “non-serialized” component can be very effective, depending on the type of firearm, and requires some knowledge on how a firearm is disassembled.

    Holding onto non-serialized components can also avoid the financial and legal liability of having a firearm in one’s possession while being able to remain in touch with the veteran in crisis when they ask for the firearm back.

    However some firearms cannot be disassembled easily without professional training.

    Cost: $0

    Difficulty to access: 1/5 - 4/5 *

    *Depends on where you store the critical component.

  • Trigger Lock

    Trigger locks are “pancake” mechanisms that cover the trigger guard of a firearm. While they can cover a trigger, ammunition can still be in the chamber and many functions of a pistol may still be performed.

    The trigger lock can be a solution for securing firearms that do not disassemble easily and cable locks are not long enough, or there is no way thread the cable through the action. However beware that a trigger lock may block the trigger area, but live ammunition in a chamber can still be dangerous, especially firearms that are not “drop safe” and/ or lack firing pin blocking type safety mechanisms.

    It is a best-practice to ensure that firearms are un-loaded and ammunition is removed if one is planning on storing a non-defensive firearm away.

    Cost: $10-$30+

    Difficulty to access: 2/5

  • Gun Safe

    Gun safes are not a typical household item and are more likely found with sportsmen, enthusiasts and collectors. For pistols, many types of safes can be used to store a pistol, but for larger long arms, an actual gun safe is required.

    It is always best-practice to ensure that firearms are un-loaded and ammunition is removed if you are storing a non-defensive firearm in any type of a case. One could also use a chamber flag or zip-ties as needed.

    Cost: $300-$1000+

    Difficulty to access: 5/5

  • Barrel Flags - Zip Ties

    This is NOT a firearm locking device. The barrel flag is a safety device to indicate that the firearm is unloaded. Barrel flags help users visually identify that a firearm’s breech is clear of ammunition.

    We recommend storing non-defensive firearms in gun safes and storage devices with barrel flags if possible.

    An appropriate length zip tie can act as a field expedient barrel flag.

    Cost: $0-$10

    Difficulty to access: 1/5

Work with a licensed firearm dealer (FFL)

Support from the Firearms Community.

There are many Licensed Firearm Dealers (FFLs) in the local area who are more than happy to help you with storage. Remember that a firearm is a valuable piece of property and FFLs are professional caretakers of these federally controlled items. Gun stores and pawn shops that sell firearms are required to be an FFL holder to sell guns.

Firearms are federally controlled items. While Texas does not require a licensed dealer (FFL) to transfer firearms between private parties (Legal explanation here), there are federally licensed dealers (FFLs) can help transfer. Some FFLs even have programs that can store a firearm for you, however there may be some considerations.

  • Firearms that go through an FFL may require an ATF Form 4473 to be returned to the original owner.

  • FFL storage may incur storage fees.

  • Typically have staff on site to help deal with firearms.

Why is There a Focus on Guns?

Veterans die by suicide by many different ways, but of all the different means, firearms are amongst one of the most effective lethal means… because it was designed to be highly efficient.

Firearms have their place in our society (especially Texas), but they also don’t give us any time as loved ones to talk to a suicide victim before a crisis.

What else is there?

Prescription medication, alcohol, household cleaning items, bladed weapons, and ropes can all be a means to suicide, but this does not mean that we need to clear the house of regular household items. Remember, we are all adults, the veteran may be going through a hard time, but we don’t want to further burden them by removing everything from their lives. Positive steps into re-building and re-integrating a veteran into the community is always the goal.

After service, remember it’s important for us to go A.W.O.L. !

We Can Help.

We know veterans, because we are staffed by veterans.

- Harris County Veterans Services Department.