Temporary Firearm Storage Training for Suicide Prevention

Overseen By Kritika Suri

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Disqualifiers: Non-English or Spanish speakers

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

240 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to understand how people who own firearms perceive messages about safe firearm storage and temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS). The focus is on training these individuals to store firearms safely and securely, particularly to prevent suicide. Gun store owners, firearm range owners, and healthcare providers in the greater Houston area who speak English or Spanish may find this trial suitable. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to important research that promotes community safety and suicide prevention.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this training is safe for firearm owners?

Research has shown that temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS) training is a safe and well-received method. This training helps gun owners learn to store firearms safely away from home, particularly when someone may be at risk of suicide. Reports have not indicated any negative effects, as the training emphasizes education and awareness rather than medical treatments. Thus, the training itself poses no risks to participants. Overall, TOHS training is considered safe and accepted by those who have participated in similar programs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS) training because it offers a proactive approach to suicide prevention by focusing on safer firearm storage. Unlike traditional methods that might involve counseling or medication, this training emphasizes the physical relocation of firearms during critical times, potentially reducing immediate access. This method is unique as it directly addresses the risk factor of firearm availability, offering a practical and immediate solution to enhance safety and prevent impulsive actions.

What evidence suggests that this training is effective for suicide prevention?

Research shows that temporarily storing guns away from home can help prevent suicide by reducing access. Studies have found that using a gun in a suicide attempt is highly lethal, with 90% of such attempts resulting in death. By keeping guns out of the home temporarily, individuals can lower the risk of acting on impulse. Previous research suggests this approach effectively reduces the chance of suicide. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of Temporary Out-of-Home Storage (TOHS) training in promoting this widely accepted and practical safety method. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sandra McKay, MD

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for gun store owners, firearm range owners, and healthcare providers in the greater Houston area who speak English or Spanish. It aims to understand their views on secure firearm storage and temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS) as a means of suicide prevention.

Inclusion Criteria

Gun store owners, firearm range owners, and healthcare providers in the greater Houston area

Exclusion Criteria

I do not speak English or Spanish.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive training on temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS) and culturally competent messaging on secure firearm storage

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for acceptability, adoptability, appropriateness, and likelihood to discuss TOHS post intervention

6 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS) training

Trial Overview The study is testing how effective culturally competent messaging about secure firearm storage and TOHS training is perceived by those involved with firearms. The focus is on acceptance among firearm-related business owners and healthcare professionals.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS) training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials

974

Recruited

361,000+

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborator

Trials

902

Recruited

25,020,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11367988/

Impact of a suicide prevention learning module for firearm ... The current study sought to examine both the feasibility and acceptability of a LMS-focused suicide prevention training module among firearm course students.

2. irl.umsl.edu irl.umsl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=mimh

Effectiveness of a Suicide Prevention Lethal Means ... Given the relationship between household firearm access and suicide, the exceptional lethality of firearms (90%), compared to all other methods ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9378345/

Voluntary, temporary, out‐of‐home firearm storage Our objective was to describe stakeholders' views and experiences surrounding voluntary, temporary out‐of‐home firearm storage for suicide prevention.

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07223970

Target Safety: a Collaboration of Firearm Retailers and ... The purpose of the study is to understand how culturally competent messaging on secure firearm storage and temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS) ...

5. injuryprevention.bmj.com injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/early/2025/09/01/ip-2023-045178

Firearm businesses as partners in suicide prevention While providing temporary and voluntary out-of-home storage is an effective practice to reduce access to firearms for someone in suicidal ...

6. ichgcp.net ichgcp.net/amp/clinical-trials-registry/NCT07223970

Temporary out-of-home storage (TOHS) training in Firearm ... The purpose of the study is to understand how culturally competent messaging on secure firearm storage and temporary out-of-home storage ...

7. injepijournal.biomedcentral.com injepijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40621-023-00426-9

Practices, knowledge, and concerns for out-of-home firearm ... Temporary, voluntary storage of firearms away from the home is a recommended option for individuals with risk of suicide, but it may also be ...