Responsible Gun Ownership

At Walk the Talk America (WTTA), we believe responsible gun ownership goes beyond handling firearms safely. Our approach encompasses two essential principles: prioritizing one’s own mental health and responsibly storing firearms.

Prioritizing Mental Health

Being a responsible gun owner starts with acknowledging the importance of mental health. Just as physical safety measures are vital, so is taking care of your emotional and psychological health. At WTTA, we advocate for open conversations, mental health education, and accessible resources to ensure gun owners have the support they need. This commitment protects the individual and contributes to the safety and well-being of families and communities.

Mental Health Plan

Our Mental Health Plan is not meant to be an intervention tool but a tool for prevention. Gun owners are some of the most prepared people on the planet. Many know every detail of how they would defend their home if an intruder broke in, with variations depending on points of entry.

Our goal is to bring that same level of preparedness to mental health, which, statistically, is far more likely to impact us negatively.

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Free Mental Health Screenings

Taking a mental health screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common, and treatable. And recovery is possible.

We partner with Mental Health America to provide free, anonymous mental health screening tools.

Take a mental health screening

Responsibly Storing Firearms

Walk the Talk America doesn’t love “secure storage” because it leaves room for different meanings. A gun can be secured in a holster, but if it’s left on the kitchen table in a house with kids, that’s not very responsible. We realize “secure storage” is the mainstream way to talk about this subject, but we prefer “responsible storage.” WTTA defines storing your firearms responsibly as preventing unauthorized access. This means using appropriate storage solutions such as gun safes, lock boxes, or trigger locks to store your guns when not in use. Storing your firearms responsibly prevents negative outcomes from firearms.

Responsible Storage Methods

We want gun owners to pick the storage option that makes sense for them and their homes while also seeing the importance of storing responsibly. Walk the Talk America created this resource to draw attention to realistic firearm storage. Throughout our history working with healthcare organizations, we felt that some of these groups didn’t have realistic options for storing guns. For example, storing firearms and ammunition separately and using cable locks are not options for many gun owners.

Most importantly, however you decide to store your firearm, practice accessing it as often as you train with it.

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Cause A Pause

“Cause a Pause” is a powerful strategy used as a last line of defense against suicidal ideation. This strategy is implemented by placing a meaningful item such as a photo of a loved one or another cherished symbol near firearms, this initiative encourages individuals to pause and reflect before taking any irreversible actions. This small act is intended to serve as a reminder of the connections, love, and meaning that surround each of us, even when life feels overwhelming.

In times of emotional distress, decisions can be clouded by intense feelings, making it hard to see past the pain of the moment. “Cause a Pause” offers a moment of clarity, helping individuals reconnect with their reasons to stay.

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Join us in reshaping what it means to be a responsible gun owner.

By prioritizing mental health and storing responsibly, gun owners can lead by example and promote a balanced approach that values both safety and the rights of responsible firearm ownership.

Explore our resources, training, and community initiatives that support mental health and responsible storage practices. Together, we can create a culture where responsible gun ownership is the standard, and together, we can reduce suicide by firearms within the 2A Community.