The Power of Prevention

Last year over 49,000 people died in the United States from suicide, that’s more than 134 per day. 55% of those were done with firearms.

While that was happening, 91% of the people polled believe that in most cases suicide in general is preventable.

Hmm, let’s start with the 55%. Firearms account for 5% more than all other forms of suicide combined. I wonder how many of those could have been prevented with a simple trigger lock or small gun safe?

Firearms were used as the #1 tool in deaths for ages 1-19 in the United States.

Those included suicides, homicides and accidental shootings. Hmm, back to those trigger guards and gun safes. I’m not here to tell you how to protect your household from your own guns, all I’m saying is that it should be done in some form; it’s too late once the damage is done.

I procrastinated for years before getting a gun safe. As a matter of fact, I kept a loaded revolver strapped to my bed post even though we would have grandchildren come over. We have a lock on the bedroom door, and I tried to always remember to lock it when they were here; admittedly, I know I didn’t always do that. All my firearms are in a safe now. The one that was strapped to my bedpost is now in a quick opening, four button safe. That little safe cost less than $100 but has given me an invaluable piece of mind.

Looking back, having a pistol strapped to the bed post had to be one of the stupidest things I ever did.

More than once during my very vivid nightmares, I woke up with that gun in my hand.

I now keep the first two cylinders empty so I would have to pull the trigger twice before it fired the first time. So glad it is in a safe now. 

At one time in my life I felt like the more guns I had, the safer my family would be. Never can tell when an all-out global war might break out. And being ex-military, I felt like I knew some tactics that would help me defend my home in any circumstance. But seriously, there was never a reason for me to have that many guns. We have cut way back. I guess the neighbors will have to supply their own when that global warfare starts up. 

Please let these two facts set in: Firearms are used in 55% of all suicides and they’re the #1 cause of death in kids aged 1-19.

👉Unfortunately, my brother fit the statistic perfectly.

I share this to remind us: prevention matters.

Safe storage saves lives.

Small, simple choices matter.

We can’t change the past, but we can protect the future. 

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If You’re Struggling

Immediate assistance is available:

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  

📞 988

Veterans Crisis Line  

📞 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) | 📱 Text 838255

Survivor Support / Crisis Group  

🌐 https://www.crisishotline.org 📞 832-416-1177

👉 If you know someone who needs to be reminded that they are not alone, share this story. Together, we can turn pain into echoes of hope.

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This book is my journey of silence, struggle, and survival. It is also a voice for every family touched by suicide and every person fighting unseen battles.

Bonded: A Brother’s Love: One Bullet. A Thousand Echoes is meant to remind you that even in unbearable pain, there is understanding, connection, and a reason to stay.

💡 Your story matters. Your life matters. Together, we can make a difference.

📖 Order your copy today and join me in breaking the silence.