How the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act Could Help End the Crisis of Veteran Firearm Suicide
Support for Those in Crisis
If you are a veteran in crisis—or you’re concerned about one—free, confidential support is available 24/7. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org/chat to chat with a counselor from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline provides free 24/7 confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress anywhere in the US.
From 2003 to 2022, more than 87,000 military veterans died by gun suicide.
Right now, the proportion of veteran suicides that are with a gun is the highest it has been in 20 years: 74 percent. These tragedies are often preventable, and our elected leaders have a responsibility to end this devastating crisis. Now, Congress has the opportunity to act by passing the bipartisan Saving Our Veterans Lives Act.
What is the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act?
The Saving Our Veterans Lives Act is a common-sense, bipartisan solution to help end the crisis of veteran firearm suicide. It would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to:
- Offer free gun lock boxes to veterans who request them, and
- Share information about the benefits of and options for secure firearm storage
“It is imperative that those who care about the health and well-being of veterans understand the outsized role that guns play in the veteran suicide epidemic.”
—Chris Marvin, Everytown Veteran Engagement Lead
In March 2025, the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act was introduced in both the House of Representatives (H.R. 1987) and the Senate (S. 926).
H.R. 1987 was introduced by:
- Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), a Navy veteran
- John James (R-MI-10), an Army veteran
- Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01)
- Greg Landsman (D-OH-01)
S. 926 was introduced by:
- Angus King (I-ME)
- Tim Sheehy (R-MT), a Navy veteran
How would the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act help to reduce firearm suicide deaths?
About half of all veterans own a gun, and 53 percent of veteran gun owners keep at least one gun loaded and unlocked in their home. That’s more than four million veterans with easy access to a gun in a moment of crisis—and that access may well be the difference between life and death.
Suicidal crises are often temporary. Putting even a few minutes between a person in crisis and access to lethal means can be life-saving. As the VA has stated, “[r]educing immediate access to firearms through secure storage can provide the time needed for the crisis to pass or for intervention to occur.”
That’s where the gun lock boxes come in. This form of secure storage can put life-saving moments between a veteran in crisis and access to a lethal weapon, giving time and space for the crisis to pass. That’s why providing free gun lock boxes through the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act is a simple and meaningful way to reduce firearm-related injuries and deaths.
“I know the pain of losing someone you love to a gun suicide—and I wouldn’t wish that pain on any family. That’s why I’m committed to preventing this crisis however I can, including fighting to protect our veterans’ lives.”
—Dorothy Paugh, veteran and Everytown Survivor Network member
The free gun lock box program and public education campaign around secure firearm storage that the VA would carry out under the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act would be meaningful steps toward protecting both veterans in crisis and their loved ones.
Veteran survivor story: Dorothy Paugh
As a child, I lost my dad, Edwin, a WWII US Army Master Sergeant, age 51, to suicide by gun in 1965. My mother, our priest, and a family friend knew he was suicidal and each tried to dissuade him, but no one asked him for his handgun. His suicide sent shock waves that have reverberated through our family now for three generations.
As a mother, I devoted my life to giving my three sons a good start by providing a loving home in a safe neighborhood. I chose schools so they’d get a solid education. I took them to church every week to steep them in Christian values. In 2012, my 25-year-old middle son, Peter, followed my dad’s terrible example. Without warning, he shot himself with a handgun he had purchased ten months earlier for protection.
As a veteran myself, I know the hardships military service entails. From 2003 to 2022, more than 87,000 veterans died by gun suicide. That’s an average of 13 veterans a day dying by suicide with a firearm. These deaths are not inevitable. Whether triggered by mental illness or an acute crisis, gun suicides are preventable. And Congress has an opportunity to act now.
The bipartisan Saving Our Veterans Lives Act would direct the VA to provide free gun lock boxes and information on secure storage to any veteran who requests them—a simple, effective step that can save lives.
This legislation is an important step in our work to prevent gun suicides–but this bill will only move forward if Congress hears from people like you. Please, send a message urging your lawmakers to support the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act.
Take action
At Everytown, we honor the sacrifice of those who served our country by doing everything we can to protect them when they have finished their military service. The bipartisan Saving Our Veterans Lives Act is a major step forward in the fight to prevent veteran suicide. But for this bill to move forward, lawmakers need to hear from people who support this common-sense, life-saving measure.
Veterans fought for us. Now it’s our turn to fight for them. Send a message today urging your lawmakers to support the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act.
Thank you for standing with our veterans and being a part of our gun safety movement.
Learn more about veteran voices, values, and experiences in the gun violence prevention movement.
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