Firearm leadership: Development, analysis, and application of a novel concept to message secure storage of firearms in the military
APA Citation:
Walsh, A., Ghahramanlou-Holloway, M., Stanley, I. H., Betz, M. E., Heintz Morrissey, B., Godin, S., Morganstein, J. C., LaCroix, J., Cobb, E., Grammer, J., & Button, C. J. (2024). Firearm leadership: Development, analysis, and application of a novel concept to message secure storage of firearms in the military. Military Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2024.2336641
Focus:
Programming
Other
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Guard
Reserve
Subject Affiliation:
Military Leadership
Other
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Qualitative Study
Authors:
Walsh, Adam, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, Marjan, Stanley, Ian H., Betz, Marian E., Heintz Morrissey, Brooke, Godin, Shira, Morganstein, Joshua C., LaCroix, Jessica, Cobb, Erin, Grammer, Joseph, Button, Christopher J.
Abstract:
Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.) Armed Forces. Access to firearms increases the risk of death by suicide due to the high lethality of firearm-related injuries ( 90% in suicide attempts) and the highly dynamic nature of suicide which includes rapid change from low- to high-risk states. Critical gaps remain in research, programming, and communication amongst scientists, Department of Defense (DoD) programmatic leaders, front-line commanders, and service members. To enhance communication and coordination, in June 2022, the first-ever national “Firearm Suicide Prevention in the Military: Messaging and Interventions Summit” was held, with discussion of Firearm Leadership, a concept that emphasizes the importance of communication about lethal means safety (LMS) among military leaders and service members. Through a discussion of scientific literature, the points identified during the Summit, as well as presenting illustrative case examples derived from suicide death reviews, we aim to provide a conceptual model for the benefits of Firearm Leadership and how some barriers can be overcome. Following the Summit, further discussions on “Firearm Leadership” led to the development of a Firearm Leadership Factsheet.
Publication Type:
Article
Keywords:
firearm safety, secure storage