Suicide Sucks. Be a Lifesaver.

A little more than two years ago, my family was devastated when my aunt Barbara chose to end her life, using a firearm.

We have never been the same since then.

Suicide is horrible. There is no other way to say it.

Today at the SHOT Show, I met a couple who lost their son to suicide. I can think of no greater pain for the human heart… but there they were, healing themselves and others by spreading the message of hope and love. They were representing the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

We spoke. I took their hands and thanked them for their work. I became choked up and had to walk away.

People DO love you. People DO care. NOBODY WILL BE BETTER OFF IF YOU ARE GONE.

The mention of firearms in my opening sentence above is germane because 1) SHOT Show is largely about guns, and 2) most firearms deaths are self-inflicted.

Making guns illegal will not save lives. But spreading love and hope most certainly will. Please join me in doing so.

If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.