Steven Lippmann, M.D.

There are over 30,000 gun-related deaths annually, thus, safety has become a health-care issue. Since 66% of these are suicides, it is of  vast protective importance to psychiatric practice.
 
We should promote safety-related advise and information to our patients. Besides the plan to always store guns unloaded, locked-up, and apart from ammunition, emphasize close monitoring whenever handled by children, and for all users to be up-to-date on gun-safety rules.

There are also selective circumstances which call for not using firearms. Psychiatrists should stress that there be no  access to such weapons during:

1. intoxication  or distress

2. impulsivity or physical dangerousness

3. depression or suicidal thinking

4.  psychiatric or neurologic conditions

5. drug procurement, use, or sales.