Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
17-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 2:30 PM
Description
Introduction
Older adults have the highest rates of firearm-related suicide in the United States, with firearms accounting for approximately 70% of suicides in this population (Price et al). Risk is particularly elevated among older men and veterans (Mcintosh et al). Despite this, firearm safety counseling remains uncommon; only 3.7% of older adults report discussing firearm safety with a healthcare provider (Carter et al). This exposes an important opportunity to address firearm safety, mental health, and suicide prevention in the primary care setting, while providing resources for access to firearm safe storage devices.
This project’s aim was to develop and implement targeted educational handouts to support healthcare providers in initiating firearm safety discussions and promoting safe storage practices among older adults.
Methods and Design
2 evidence-based handouts were created based on current literature and clinical recommendations: one geared towards implanting screening practices for older individuals in the primary care setting and one geared towards community resources for safe storage devices. This includes the 5 L’s method for screening, as well as the recommendations on safe storage devices based on the gun user’s preferences. These handouts can serve as a framework to drive a collaborative decision-making process between provider and patient. Suggested prompts were included to facilitate provider-patient communication.
Outcomes
The Safe Storage Handout provides a comparison of firearm storage devices, including gun locks, trigger locks, lock boxes, safes, and biometric locks. Devices are described in terms of features, relative cost, and availability through local Philadelphia-area programs. QR codes link patients to community-based resources.
The Older Adults Screening Handout incorporates the “5 L’s” framework, outlines suicide risk factors (including veteran-specific risk), and provides evidence-based statistics on firearm-related mortality. Structured conversation prompts were included to assist providers in initiating firearm safety discussions during routine visits.
Embargo Period
6-4-2026
Included in
Implementing firearm safe storage and screening handouts for older individuals into primary care practice
Philadelphia, PA
Introduction
Older adults have the highest rates of firearm-related suicide in the United States, with firearms accounting for approximately 70% of suicides in this population (Price et al). Risk is particularly elevated among older men and veterans (Mcintosh et al). Despite this, firearm safety counseling remains uncommon; only 3.7% of older adults report discussing firearm safety with a healthcare provider (Carter et al). This exposes an important opportunity to address firearm safety, mental health, and suicide prevention in the primary care setting, while providing resources for access to firearm safe storage devices.
This project’s aim was to develop and implement targeted educational handouts to support healthcare providers in initiating firearm safety discussions and promoting safe storage practices among older adults.
Methods and Design
2 evidence-based handouts were created based on current literature and clinical recommendations: one geared towards implanting screening practices for older individuals in the primary care setting and one geared towards community resources for safe storage devices. This includes the 5 L’s method for screening, as well as the recommendations on safe storage devices based on the gun user’s preferences. These handouts can serve as a framework to drive a collaborative decision-making process between provider and patient. Suggested prompts were included to facilitate provider-patient communication.
Outcomes
The Safe Storage Handout provides a comparison of firearm storage devices, including gun locks, trigger locks, lock boxes, safes, and biometric locks. Devices are described in terms of features, relative cost, and availability through local Philadelphia-area programs. QR codes link patients to community-based resources.
The Older Adults Screening Handout incorporates the “5 L’s” framework, outlines suicide risk factors (including veteran-specific risk), and provides evidence-based statistics on firearm-related mortality. Structured conversation prompts were included to assist providers in initiating firearm safety discussions during routine visits.