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John— On this Memorial Day, we remember the 4,600 veterans who die by gun suicide each year. Veteran suicide is a gun violence crisis: the veteran gun suicide rate increased by 58 percent from 2003 to 2022. During that period, more than 87,000 veterans died by suicide with a gun. Recent attacks on veterans—from Trump's funding and personnel cuts to bills that would make it easier for at-risk veterans to get guns in moments of crisis—put countless lives at risk. On average, each day, 18 veterans die by suicide in the US—13 with guns. These tragedies are preventable, and our elected leaders have a responsibility to work to end this devastating crisis. The bipartisan Saving Our Veterans Lives Act would allow the VA to offer gun lock boxes and secure storage information to every veteran who wants them. Secure storage is the first step in Everytown's Continuum of Gun Suicide Intervention. This legislation would incentivize a necessary step to reduce firearm-related injuries and deaths, specifically suicides amongst veterans. We have an obligation to provide veterans with the resources they need to stay safe when they return home. Congress can take the first step by cosponsoring and passing the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act. Send your lawmakers a message now. Thank you for honoring our veterans and being a part of our gun safety movement. Everytown for Gun Safety  |
