Houston officials urge secure firearm storage and share resources to reduce veteran suicides

Councilmember Abby Kamen opened a World Suicide Prevention Day briefing in Houston on the risk of suicide among veterans and urged the public to use available crisis resources and secure temporary firearm-storage options.

Kamen said the event sought to destigmatize conversations about suicide and firearms and to highlight partnerships that can help save lives. "From 2002 to 2021, nearly 87,000 veterans died by firearm suicide," Kamen said, calling gun violence a public-health crisis and urging outreach to veterans and their families.

Nut graf: City, county and federal partners used the briefing to promote a mix of crisis lines, local programs and voluntary storage options aimed at adding time and distance between someone in crisis and access to a firearm. Officials described outreach to firearm retailers, distribution of free locks and safes, and coordination across the VA, Harris County and city agencies.

Dr. Sandy McKay, an associate professor at UTHealth Houston who works on the Target Safety program, said veterans face higher rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress and that a large share of veteran suicides involve firearms. "Adding time and space is important," McKay said, describing Target Safety's work to identify retailers willing to provide temporary out-of-home storage and to address liability concerns through legislative and community engagement.

Colonel Dave Lewis, executive director of Harris County Veterans Services, highlighted local outreach and a recent grant-funded expansion of suicide-prevention staff. Lewis said Harris County has seen a notable year-over-year decline in veteran suicides and stressed accessible crisis options: "988 is there for every one of you," he said, and he pointed attendees to the Texas Two Step resources (tx2step.org) for information on secure temporary storage.

Zahara Williams of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center described the VA's public-health model and its "Ask the Question" campaign, freedom-lock distribution and trainings to improve cultural competence when serving veterans. Williams said the VA's community engagement teams support veterans across the 28 counties surrounding Harris County.

Law-enforcement and public-safety leaders urged practical steps families and friends can take. Houston Police Chief Diaz and Public Safety and Homeland Security Director Chief Satterwhite both encouraged people to watch for warning signs and to use available resources; Satterwhite shared a personal loss and urged use of free safes and secure storage options. "Minutes matter," Satterwhite said, echoing Lewis's emphasis that impulsive crises can pass if access is interrupted.

City public-health authority Dr. Purse outlined concrete red flags—explicit statements about wanting to die, withdrawal, giving away prized possessions and sudden "goodbye" behavior—and urged people not to be afraid to ask directly about suicidal thoughts and to call for help when in doubt.

Controller Chris Hollins and Commissioner Adrian Garcia framed the briefing within recent national events and local pandemic-era isolation, and both asked the media and community members to spread information about resources. Garcia reiterated that veterans and others in crisis can press 1 after dialing 988 to reach the veterans crisis line.

Next steps and contact information: officials asked firearm retailers, ranges and distributors interested in learning more about temporary storage to contact the Office of Councilmember Abby Kamen (info@HarrisVets.org) or visit districtc.houstontx.gov. Harris County Veterans Services can be reached at (281) 876-6600. Organizers also said the press conference would be followed by demonstrations on how to use gun locks and safes.

The briefing ended with a call for community members, media and partners to amplify these resources and for continued coordination among the VA, county and city agencies.