Brief, routine screening can help clinicians identify patients who may be at increased risk of firearm-related harm and guide appropriate follow-up supports. This includes tools such as the SaFETy Score (to identify youth at risk of future firearm injury) and the 5 L’s (a conversation guide focused on access and safety among older adults). 

For patients at elevated suicide or violence risk, clinicians work collaboratively with individuals and their support systems to temporarily reduce access to firearms and other lethal means. This may include safety planning and use of tools like Lock to Live to support decision-making.

Respectful, nonjudgemental conversations about firearm access and secure storage can reduce the risk of injury in the home. Counseling focuses on achievable safety steps and may be paired with providing storage devices to support behavior change.

Clinicians can help patients and families choose secure storage options—such as locks, safes, or off-site storage—to reduce access during high-risk periods and prevent unintentional and self-directed firearm injury.