Safe Gun Storage Program Gives Pediatricians a Guide for Preventing Suicide by Firearms

The program began in 2015 after firearms became the leading cause of death in U.S. children and adolescents in 2019

DENVER — Discussion around safe firearms storage could be the key to preventing both unintentional and intentional firearm injuries and death, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition at the Colorado Convention Center Sept. 26-30.

The research, “Store it Safe: Quality Improvement, Community Engagement and Advocacy to Prevent Accidental Firearm Injuries/Death in Children and Suicide by Firearms in Adolescents,” describes a program developed in 2015 to train healthcare providers to screen for depression and suicide, discuss lethal means, distribute safe storage lock boxes, and provide resources for families. The program, “Store it Safe,” was developed in Ohio alongside firearms organizations in an effort to curtail unintentional firearm injury and death in young children and suicide by firearm in adolescents.

“We know that safe storage can save lives. ‘Store it Safe’ is supporting families, training providers, and building strong community partnerships to create a safer environment for children across Ohio and beyond,” said Sarah Denny, MD, FAAP, research author and medical director of "Store it Safe".

Data showed that approximately 130,000 Ohioans were engaged with the program with 14,000 adolescents screened for depression and suicidality. In addition, over 3,500 firearms lock boxes were distributed.

Program results showed a significant increase in suicidality screening rates, jumping from 15% to 77%. The rate in which physicians were conducting lethal means restriction discussions at youth preventive visits also improved, rising to 76% from the initial 17%.

“The ‘Store It Safe’ program provides a model for how healthcare providers and community leaders can work together to reduce unintentional injuries and suicides involving firearms,” said Denny.

Plans to expand the program are already in motion. "Store it Safe" has been implemented in Indiana through a partnership with the Indiana AAP Chapter. In addition, two Ohio communities have been recognized as Store It Safe Communities with plans to continue designating communities later this year.

The authors received financial support for this research from the Ohio Department of Health; Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Ohio Emergency Medical Services for Children/Department of Public Safety.

Dr. Denny is scheduled to present her research, which is below, from 9:50 a.m. to 9:57 a.m. on Friday, Sept 26, in the Colorado Convention Center, Bluebird Ballroom 2A. To request an interview with the authors, contact Olivia Simon at osimon@ohioaap.org

Please note: only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal. 

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/

Program Name: 2025 Call for Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention Program and Firearm Injury Prevention Special Interest Group

Abstract Title: Store it Safe: Quality Improvement, Community Engagement and Advocacy to Prevent Accidental Firearm Injuries/Death in Children and Suicide by Firearms in Adolescents

Sarah Denny

Columbus, OH, United States

In 2020 firearms became the leading cause of death in US children and adolescents, surpassing motor vehicle collisions for the first time. There are many factors contributing to the increase in firearm deaths, thus solutions need to be innovative and varied. In 2015 the Ohio AAP developed Store It Safe (SIS), a unique program developed with assistance of firearm organizations, to reduce accidental firearm injury/death in young children and suicide by firearm in adolescents. Additionally, with the legalization of marijuana in Ohio, SIS is also being used to prevent accidental ingestions by promoting safe storage of marijuana products.

QI: QI program to train healthcare providers to screen for depression and suicide, discuss lethal means, distribute safe storage lock boxes, and provide resources for families. Provider training includes virtual reality simulation to help providers get more comfortable talking about safe firearm storage during well child visits. Resources were developed collaboratively with coalition partners and multiple focus groups. Coalition Building/Community Engagement: The Ohio AAP has been intentional in coalition building, forming a unique partnership of organizations with varying viewpoints on firearms - healthcare providers, firearm safety experts, law enforcement, education leaders, and community organizations to have unified messaging of “Store It Safe”. The SIS City Designation serves as a way to engage communities across the state to educate families and youth facing organizations about the restriction of access to lethal means. Advocacy: Establishing common ground and strong relationships are key to advocacy successes. Setting clear boundaries as to what is and is not the goal of this specific coalition has allowed a diverse group of organizations to come together around a unified goal.

QI: To date, approximately 130,000 Ohioans have already been reached by the SIS program, 14,000 adolescents have been screened for depression and suicide during healthcare visits and over 3,500 lock boxes have been distributed. Coalition Building/Community Engagement: The SIS Coalition has reached over 52 members, each supporting and spreading the SIS. We just piloted our first Store It Safe City Designation and two additional cities are exploring this opportunity. SIS is currently spreading to Indiana AAP. Advocacy: SIS has bipartisan support, with a current amendment in the Ohio budget to make SIS the official safe storage program for the state, with a $1 million dollar earmark to support the spread of SIS.

Healthcare providers can engage in firearm-related injury prevention efforts in many ways. SIS is a well-established program that can be replicated in its entirety or various parts to help providers, their patients and communities keep firearms and marijuana products stored safely.