Improving Secure Firearm Storage to Reduce Suicide Deaths in Veterans
Official title: Improving Secure Storage of Firearms to Reduce Suicide Deaths: A Hybrid Type 1Implementation Effectiveness Randomized Controlled Trial of the Family Firearms SafetyTraining (FFAST) Intervention
Funded at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System · NIH-11348041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Veterans-focused program tests a one-session safety training that involves a family/significant other to help securely store firearms to prevent suicide attempts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | October 1, 2026 |
| Project end | September 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1I01RD000657-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348041 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans and their families or close CSOs who are willing to participate in a one-session training and apply secure storage practices.
✕Less likely to help
Veterans without a willing CSO or those not at risk of crisis may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a practical approach to reduce firearm suicides among Veterans by teaching a single-session storage plan that includes a concerned family member or friend. It centers on how time and distance from firearms can influence crisis outcomes and uses psychoeducation plus CSO involvement to support safer storage. The intervention was designed with input from Veterans and caregivers to fit real-life settings within VA care. The study will measure whether the training changes storage practices and reduces crisis-related access to firearms in high-risk moments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower suicide risk for Veterans by helping households keep firearms securely stored.
How similar studies have gone: Prior similar approaches show promise when engaging caregivers, though this specific CSO-inclusive, single-session format is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Debeer, Bryann — VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Debeer, Bryann
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.