Finding the best ways to promote safe firearm storage to prevent youth suicides

A Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Strategies to Implement Firearm Safety Promotion as a Universal Suicide Prevention Strategy in Pediatric Primary Care

NIH-funded research Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10895596

This study is looking at how to help doctors and parents talk about safe gun storage to keep kids safe and reduce the risk of firearm-related suicides, by making it easier for them to use a program that offers free cable locks and support.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-10895596 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how to effectively implement a universal safe firearm storage program in pediatric primary care to reduce firearm-related suicide deaths among young people. It focuses on understanding the attitudes and barriers faced by pediatric clinicians and parents regarding firearm safety discussions. The study aims to enhance the acceptability and feasibility of the Safety Check program, which includes brief counseling and providing free cable locks for firearms. By integrating feedback from various stakeholders, the research seeks to create a sustainable approach to prevent access to firearms in homes with children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include families with children who have access to firearms and are seeking preventive measures for suicide risk.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have firearms in their homes or are not concerned about firearm access may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the number of youth suicides related to firearm access.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that similar firearm safety promotion strategies can effectively increase safe storage practices among parents.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.