New Orleans, Louisiana — July 17th — The Armory Project (TAP) is honored to have served as a trusted technical resource during the development of new Kansas legislation providing civil liability protections for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) participating in voluntary firearm hold agreements. By providing scientific expertise, operational guidance, written testimony, and collaboration with firearm retailers and community partners, TAP helped inform legislation that removes a longstanding barrier to voluntary firearm storage, expanding access to a practical suicide prevention resource while respecting lawful firearm ownership.

As communities across the country explore new approaches to suicide prevention, few have built stronger partnerships between mental health organizations and firearm retailers than those in Johnson County, Kansas.

Jared Avilez, Community Prevention Coordinator with the Johnson County Mental Health Center, has helped lead that effort by bringing The Armory Project into his community. Through relationship building, technical assistance, and a shared commitment to protecting lives, Johnson County has grown from a handful of conversations with local firearm retailers into a statewide model that includes storage partners, legislative protections, and expanding partnerships.

We sat down with Jared to discuss what he’s learned, what surprised him, and what advice he has for other communities.

No one likes talking about suicide. When Caleb Morse opened up The Rustic Renegade gun store in Lafeyette, Louisiana, having discussions about suicide was the last thing on his mind. But when a friend he served with came into the store and told Morse that he didn’t want his guns anymore, Morse didn’t shy away from the conversation.

“A Navy veteran, Kelly Waters has lost five fellow comrades to suicide by firearm over the past eight years. Having struggled with his own mental health, he has made it his new mission to support others in similar situations by partnering with The Armory Project (TAP).”

Dr. Claire Houtsma and Dr. Gala True were able to highlight the importance of The Armory Project in this recent blog article with Project Child Safe!

We joined the Gun Talk Nation podcast! Our own Gala True sat down with host Ryan Gresham and Mike Sodini of Walk the Talk America to share how The Armory Project is working with partners to expand voluntary firearm storage, reduce stigma around mental health, and strengthen the 2A community.