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Preventing firearm injuries and deaths

Firearm injuries and deaths are a public health emergency

Each year, nearly 40,000 Americans die by suicide, homicide, or accidents with firearms. In King County, more people are killed by firearms than by car crashes, with an annual financial cost of nearly $200 million in medical charges and lost productivity.

Public Health — Seattle & King County is addressing this public health emergency by working with firearm owners and communities affected by gun violence to understand how and when firearms are used unsafely, raise public awareness of firearm safety practices, and develop and evaluate upstream evidence-based prevention programs.

Explore the resources below to learn how you can play a role in preventing firearm-related injuries and deaths in our communities.

What you can do to prevent firearm injuries and deaths

Lock It Up: Promoting the safe storage of firearms

Find out which gun storage device is right for you, and where you can get a discount.

Types of locks and where to buy them

There are dozens of devices to lock your handgun and other firearms. Many experts recommend using lock boxes, safes or gun vaults with a push button, combination, or digital keypad lock.

Tips for parents and community members

Asking family and friends if guns are safely stored may save lives.

Resources for health care providers

We provide answers to questions about the efficacy of physician counseling on safe gun storage and give you facts that you can use when talking with patients to reduce firearm fatalities.

What we know about firearm injuries and deaths in King County

King County firearm data:

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