Firearm Safety & Safe Storage

Even though most people have firearms to protect their family from external threats, the most common threat to life for gun owners is suicide. In Oregon, 72.5% of total firearm deaths between 2011-2022 were suicide. See more information on the Oregon Violent Death Reporting System. 

Graph showing that 72.5% of total firearm deaths in Oregon are suicide

Lock, Limit, or Temporarily Remove Firearms

Oregon law permits a friend or family member to temporarily hold firearms while needed, if the owner is experiencing a mental health crisis, requiring firearms to be returned once it is safe.

Any strategy that builds time and distance between a person and a firearm during a suicidal crisis will keep everyone safer.

At the first signs of a mental health crisis:

  • Remove firearms from the home by temporarily storing firearms at an off-site storage location or giving them to a trusted friend/family member to hold temporarily. 
  • Lock firearms in a safe and have a trusted friend or family member change the safe combination.
  • Use a cable lock and give a family member or a friend the key.
  • Store a firearm, the magazine, and ammunition in three separate locations in your home to limit and delay access.
  • Disassemble your firearms and entrust a friend with non-regulated components.


Suicide Prevention Resources

If you are struggling or know someone who is, help is available 24/7 by calling the Yamhill County Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-844-842-8200. You are not alone, so please reach out.

YouthLine

Yamhill County Suicide Prevention

Firearms and Suicide Prevention Toolkit


Request a Firearm Lockbox

Secured firearms save lives. Yamhill County has a limited supply of handgun lockboxes. If you are interested, please fill out our form. After submitting the form, you will be contacted by a member of Yamhill County Public Health to arrange a pickup of your lockbox(es).


Firearm Storage and Safety Resources

Create a Safer Home

Order firearm storage materials at no cost to Yamhill County residents.

Project ChildSafe

Project ChildSafe offers resources, including storage kits, fact sheets, instructions for using secure storage, and safety videos.

Oregon State Shooting Association

Oregon State Shooting Association offers gun owner information, as well as safety videos and safe use information.


Oregon Laws Related to Firearm Use

Secure Firearm Storage (ORS 166.395)

Transfer of Firearms (ORS 166.435)

Self-Defense