Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Partnership with Gun Shops in New Hampshire

Background: About 10% of NH firearm suicides involved a gun purchased the same week. A committee of gun dealers and suicide prevention professionals developed prevention materials aimed at dealers and their customers and found many dealers were willing to display project materials. Final products were mailed and an evaluation was conducted to gauge their use. Methods: All storefront retailers in NH were identified (n=69) and visited unannounced. All were provided with additional campaign materials and asked to provide feedback on the materials mailed out the previous summer. Results: Over half (51%) of dealers had at least one product we created on display at their shop. Forty-four percent of those we asked (n=34) said they have stored guns upon police or customer request, and another 21% would consider doing so. A comparison with pre-campaign data showed no change in agreement with the sentiment that removing access to lethal means could save a life (57% agreed pre and post). Those who agreed with this sentiment were much more likely to display our products than those who did not (80% vs. 40%). Conclusions: Dealers' interest in displaying suicide prevention materials depends largely on their belief that restricting access to lethal means is a useful prevention strategy, and secondarily on their willingness to broach difficult subject matter with customers. Virtually all have personal experience with suicide, and most are supportive of our intent if not our materials. There is much to be learned from the gun owning community on appropriate messaging regarding suicide prevention.