Bill Introduced Would Require Gun Retailers to Distribute Information about Suicide Prevention 

As part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass held a press conference today introducing legislation that would require gun retailers in Montgomery County to provide information at points of sale on suicide prevention, firearm safety and conflict resolution. According to a press release, “The SAFE Act (Bill 36-23, Sale of Firearms or Ammunition – Suicide Awareness and Firearm Education) would bolster gun violence prevention efforts. The new legislation would require the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to develop literature about firearm safety, suicide prevention and conflict resolution, which retailers of firearms and ammunition would be required to distribute at the point of sales.”

“Firearms are the leading method of suicide in Maryland and nationwide,” Council President Evan Glass said. “This legislation is being introduced during National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness about treatment and support for those who need it the most.

“The goal of this bill is to reduce self-harm by providing potentially lifesaving information when someone is considering purchasing firearms or ammunition. This approach is one of the many ways we can raise awareness about suicide prevention, with the goal of preventing the tragic consequences of gun violence.”

Council President @cmevanglass is joined by gun violence prevention advocates and survivors to introduce The SAFE Act, which would require gun retailers to distribute literature about suicide prevention and firearm safety. pic.twitter.com/zDsMjvi1ni

— Montgomery Council (@MoCoCouncilMD) September 26, 2023