Gun Safety Matters

 Firearms and other weapons can be found in households across the country. In most situations, their presence creates no problems for responsible gun owners and others. However, if someone in the home has Alzheimer’s or another dementia, if there are young children in the household, or if someone suffers from mental illnesses like depression or anxiety, firearms can pose a significant risk for everyone. In the case of dementia, as the disease progresses, the person may not recognize someone he or she has known for years and view him or her as an intruder. With a gun accessible, the result could be disastrous. Even if the household members have past experience with guns, their age or mental state can affect their ability to make rational decisions.  

  Consider the following to help reduce risk:

· Locking or disabling a gun may not be enough. People living with dementia sometimes misperceive danger and may do whatever seems necessary to protect themselves, even if no threat exists. These actions can include breaking into gun cabinets, finding ammunition and loading guns. Preventing a gun from firing may not prevent the person living with the disease or others from being harmed. Adolescents often make suicide attempts impulsively over matters that seem trivial to adults. Young children can confuse guns with toys.

· Consider removing guns from the home to fully protect the family from an accident. Family members sometimes attempt to hide their firearms or ammunition to prevent the person living with dementia from accessing them. They may lock the guns in an attic or in the trunk of a car, or keep ammunition outside of the home. Adolescents may know where the key to the gun cabinet is hidden, or where ammunition is stored, without the knowledge of adults.

These solutions are good first steps, but they do not ensure that the person will not find the gun or appear to be holding a loaded weapon, thereby causing those around the person to react. It’s critical that there be an open discussion among family members about all weapons in the home, including antiques, collections, war souvenirs, hunting equipment and decorative pieces. It’s important to consider current and future gun safety. Put a plan in place for what to do with firearms or other weapons both immediately and for when a loved one is no longer capable of handling them safely, or when a young child has friends to the house to play.