Congressman Deluzio, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Veterans Firearm Suicide Prevention Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman and Navy veteran Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Senator Angus King (I-ME), Senator and Navy veteran Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Congressman, former FBI Special Agent and federal prosecutor Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), and Congressman and Army veteran John James (MI-10), introduced the bipartisan and bicameral veteran suicide prevention bill the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025.

Building off of the version from the 118th Congress, this measure would authorize a program for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide free firearm lockboxes to veterans. Limiting the ease by which at-risk individuals can access firearms has been shown to prevent suicide deaths. The Saving Our Veterans Lives Acthad a hearing in the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health today-where Congressman Deluzio testified in support.

Firearms are the most common means used by veterans who die by suicide. Approximately 73% of male veteran suicide deaths and 52% of female veteran suicide deaths are with firearms, rates that greatly exceed those of nonveterans. Fifty-one percent of veterans report owning one or more personal firearms, and of those, over half report storing firearms loaded and/or unsecured. A third of veterans who store their firearms loaded and unlocked don't own a lockbox or safe.

"It is unacceptable that that our country has such high rates of veteran suicide when we know there are things we can do to help save the lives of America's veterans," said Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17). "I am proud to introduce the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025 alongside my colleagues to provide free firearm lockboxes to my fellow veterans. It is a simple bipartisan idea, supported by organizations from across the political spectrum. Let's get this done and fight back against the crisis of veteran suicides."

"Our veterans represent the very best of Maine and our nation - making countless sacrifices to protect and defend our country," said Senator King, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (ME). "We have an obligation to provide our veterans with as many resources as possible to keep them safe during some of their most vulnerable moments. The Saving Our Veterans Lives Act would provide free firearm lockboxes to every veteran who requests one; the extra space between a veteran in crisis and their firearm could mean the difference between life and death. This commonsense bill makes a critical investment in protecting America's best asset - its people."

"As a combat veteran, who is married to a combat veteran, I know firsthand how critical it is for us to provide those who have served our country with the support they need in good times and bad," said Senator Tim Sheehy (MT). "I'm proud to support this commonsense legislation that supports our mission to combat veteran suicide and fight to ensure veterans have the resources they need to achieve the same American Dream they fought to defend."

"The alarming and tragic reality is that our veterans face a suicide rate 57% higher than that of civilians. The Saving Our Veterans Lives Actwill create a program within the VA to provide secure firearm lockboxes to veterans, ensuring they have the tools to safeguard themselves during moments of crisis. This commonsense, bipartisan initiative is more than a solution-it's a lifeline. By providing access to lifesaving resources, we can prevent devastating outcomes and stand with our veterans as they navigate their darkest hours. It's simple: we must come together and deliver the support our veterans deserve and have rightfully earned," said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1).

"Our veterans sacrificed so much for our country, and it's our responsibility to support them in all ways," said Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01). "Free gun storage boxes are a simple yet critical step in reducing the risks of firearm-related harm. We're proud to support this initiative in helping to keep our veterans and their loved ones safe."

"Our brothers and sisters in arms have dedicated their lives in service to our nation but often are left feeling alone. I've witnessed what happens when veterans feel like they cannot ask for help-it's cost too many of my West Point classmates their lives," said Rep. John James (MI-10). "Saving our Veterans Lives Act is a major step in Congress' efforts to save the lives of countless more veterans struggling with PTSD and the invisible scars of war. I am honored to join my colleagues in this effort."

The bill has been updated in the 119th Congress to include reporting requirements for proper oversight and the ability for certain groups to participate in the distribution of the lockboxes and to assist VA with a public education campaign. The Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025 is endorsed by the following organizations: Disabled American Veterans (DAV), GIFFORDS, Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady, American Psychological Association (APA), National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Psychiatric Association, Sandy Hook Promise, the Association of VA Psychologist Leaders (AVAPL), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

"With firearms overwhelmingly being the most common method of suicide among veterans, it's important to offer safe firearm storage options," said Deputy National Legislative Director for Health Jon Retzer. "DAV is proud to support the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act, which would provide a lock box to veterans and require a public education campaign on the importance of creating time and distance between impulse and action through safe firearm storage. We thank Rep. Deluzio and his co-leads for their continued leadership on this critical issue and their efforts to explore solutions that can save veterans' lives."

"One in five adult firearm suicide victims is a veteran," said Emma Brown, GIFFORDS Executive Director. We can and must do better for the Americans who put their lives on the line to serve our country. Rep. Deluzio's bill (introduced with his House and Senate co-leads) takes a significant step in addressing the issue of veteran suicide, and provides real, tangible solutions that will help keep veterans safe, as well as promoting safe storage tools in the process. We look forward to seeing this legislation move forward in this Congress."

"We have a duty to protect those who have protected us, which includes taking common-sense action to prevent veteran suicide - and three-quarters of these tragedies involve a gun," said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety. "Everytown is grateful to Senator King, Representative Deluzio and their fellow co-leads for championing this bipartisan legislation, which will provide more veterans with access to secure firearm storage, which can be the difference between life and death in times of crisis."

"Our nation's Veterans are battling a firearm suicide crisis, and it's critical that we do everything in our power to support them," said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady. "Secure storage of firearms is an effective means to decrease the risk of suicide for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and saves lives. Brady applauds Representatives Deluzio, Fitzpatrick, Landsman, and James alongside Senators King and Sheehy for introducing bipartisan legislation that will enable Veterans to securely store their firearms and strengthen the Department of Veteran Affairs' efforts to protect those who have served our country."

"Suicide is a public health crisis impacting far too many veterans and their families," said American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr. PhD. "We commend Rep. Deluzio's efforts with his co-leads to bring gun owners and the health care community together with Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025. Research shows that secure firearm storage can prevent these tragedies."

"Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death for Veterans in the United States, and more than 70% of Veteran suicides are by firearm," said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "Putting time and distance between a person considering suicide and lethal means can be lifesaving. We applaud Representative Chris Deluzio, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, Representative Greg Landsman, Representative John James, Senator Angus King, and Senator Tim Sheehy for leading the Saving Our Veterans Lives Act, which will help to prevent suicide by making secure firearm storage devices available to Veterans across the country."

"The Saving Our Veterans Lives Act provides the funding and incentive to accomplish exactly what it states - to save Veteran lives by offering Veterans free lockboxes to securely store their firearms," said Jennifer Presnall-Shvorin, President, Association of VA Psychologist Leaders (AVAPL). "AVAPL proudly supports this bill as one of the best commitments our Nation can make to serving those who have served."

Since 2012, the VA's Suicide Prevention Program has distributed free firearm cable locks to any veteran who requests one. However, many veterans overwhelmingly favor lockboxes and safes to secure their guns.

A pilot program is currently offering free lockboxes to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) enrolled veterans with elevated risk for suicide who requests that one be mailed to them. Here are four ways that the Save Our Veterans' Lives Act of 2025, full text available here, would enhance the pilot:

Issue		Current Pilot		Saving Our Veterans Lives Act
Veteran eligibility for free lockbox		Only covers VHA-enrolled veterans assessed as moderate to high-risk for suicide		Applies to all veterans, with and without identified risk, with and without VHA enrollment
Distribution avenues		Only through VA Prosthetics		Through VA Prosthetics and firearm retailers
Allocations needed for lockboxes		No dedicated funds		Assures funding for many thousands of lockboxes to be distributed to veterans
Educational campaign informing veterans of program		None		Promotes public education campaign, including through trusted allies

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