by If Congress in its infinite wisdom (sic) were to pass a new assault weapons ban on semi-automatic firearms, it might just increase the number of suicides. That would be an incredibly sad unintended consequence of the law.
I had the opportunity to meet Sarah Joy Albrecht at the SHOT Show this year. She founded a non-profit called HoldMyGuns.Org. It works through a network of Federal Firearms Licensees to have them hold a person’s firearms during times of mental health crisis or personal need. This is 100% voluntary on the part of the firearm owners and provides them safe, off-site storage. When the crisis has passed, they reclaim their firearms.
It is voluntary, government is not involved, and the firearms are held by someone who has been vetted by Hold My Guns. Those holding the firearms for the individual are both licensed and insured.
So how would a new AWB impact this effort to reduce suicide and assist those having a mental health crisis?
Sarah Joy posted this on Twitter this morning.
Banned #firearms, #ammo, & accessories (mags & braces) can't be stored by @HoldMyGunsOrg partnering FFLs. #HR1808 makes illegal storage of commonly-used #guns for #suicideprevention as banned items can't be lawfully transferred in gun shops. #safestorage #ar15 #AssaultWeaponsBan
— HoldMyGunsOrg (@HoldMyGunsOrg) July 29, 2022
The gun prohibitionists style themselves as concerned citizens whose only motivation is “gun safety” and the reduction of crimes committed with firearms. The reality is that they don’t give a big rat’s ass if Joe Bob cannot find a safe location for his firearms during a mental health crisis and ends up killing himself. It only adds to their statistics. It is time to call them out on it as well as the politicians who kowtow to them.