It’s time once again to catch up with the HOPE Squad of Carbon, Emery and Grand Counties to see what’s going on with the organization. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with Suicide Prevention Specialist, Amanda McIntosh to discuss a grant that she applied for to supply individuals with free gun locks, gun cases and ammo boxes.

“I was able to write for and was granted money through the Live On Utah campaign recently to acquire means restriction things for our community. Whether that be a gun case, ammo boxes, gun locks. I’ve got medication, those Doterra dissolvable medication things. All in the name of suicide prevention obviously, but also just making sure that our community has safeguards put in place to protect their family and their firearms and things like that,” stated McIntosh.  She feels that by offering these items to gun owners helps get the message of suicide prevention and gun safety out to those that may need it.

There are combination locks on both the gun cases and ammo boxes which would be ideal for any gun owner and it’s a good idea to store your firearms separately from your ammo. “Creative ways of doing that is purchasing guns cases, and these gun cases are great because they have dual combos on them. So ideally, in a home one person would have half of the combo, I would have the other half combo, so that way is just puts time between somebody in a suicidal crisis and their choice of means. These gun cases are hard case, they hold up to a 53” long barrel and they’re free to the community,” explained McIntosh. They also have license lockers with a 988 message that can be fitted to the stock of the gun and/or around your bow. The 988 is a suicide and crisis lifeline that is available 24 hours.

If you would benefit from a gun case, ammo box, gun lock, and/or license locker, please contact McIntosh at Southeast Utah Health Department. “They can get a hold of me through my work (435) 636-1153, come down to the office at 65 South 100 East, Price, Utah. You can email me, you can reach out of the HOPE Squad of Carbon, Emery and Grand Counties, I check the messenger on there. I can meet up with you, you can come into the health department, however, you want it, just let me know and I’ll reserve it for you, you come down and pick it up,” said McIntosh. Securing your firearms now helps to prevent future tragedies.