New PSA endorsed by several Lincoln Organizations

Several Lincoln groups are coming together in a public service announcement to teach gun safety and raise awareness. Across the nation, suicide rates and accidental deaths due to firearms are climbing. 

Dr. David Miers of Mental Health Services at Bryan Health, says it’s important to teach safety and storage. because it could save a life. 

“An individual who is reaching out for a firearm and lets say that its locked up or has a trigger lock or gun safe…just that split second deters that individual from thinking of suicide,” Miers says. 

The Lincoln Police Department, also taking part in the PSA, says practicing proper gun safety can prevent a variety of other incidents too, like stolen firearms or accidental deaths. 

“Last year alone there were 149 stolen fire arms reported to the Lincoln Police Department, and 24 of those were stolen from cars,” says Officer Angela Sands, of the Lincoln Police Department. 

Sands also says the PSA is a reminder that Lincoln residents can help prevent these issues in their own communities. 

“That’s why we just want to remind people to take a few simple steps, don’t make it easy for a criminal or a child to get their hand on that firearm.”

The underlying goal of the PSA is to come together as a community to combat these issues and make Lincoln a safer place for everyone. 

Dr. Miers says “Research shows the more connected we are, the less violence that there is, the less suicide that there is.”

The PSA is already running on local media and on social media. For more information you can visit Be Smart for Kids.