# Acceptability and Feasibility of a Peer-to-Peer Firearm-Specific Means Safety Intervention

> **NIH VA IK1** · SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA VETERANS HEALTH CARE · 2022 · —

## Abstract

The suicide rate among Veterans is significantly higher than that of the general population, with more than two-
thirds of these deaths resulting from firearms. Importantly, research suggests that risk for suicide death is
significantly higher when firearms are stored unsafely (e.g., loaded, without a locking device), which appears to
be a common practice among Veterans. Lethal means counseling (LMC), an intervention promoting safe
storage and/or temporary removal of firearms from the home during times of suicidal crisis, has demonstrated
initial effectiveness for increasing safe storage. However, this intervention has yet to be tested in a Veteran
population. Furthermore, several cultural and logistical barriers may impede Veterans from obtaining the same
benefit as other populations, including low probability of Veterans self-disclosing suicidal thoughts, mistrust of
motive (i.e., belief that the conversation is a veiled attempt at gun control), and preference indicated for such
discussions to occur with fellow firearm owners or Veterans, as opposed to clinicians. Thus, the purpose of the
proposed Career Development Award-1 (CDA-1) is to adapt and expand an existing LMC intervention for peer-
delivery among firearm owning Veterans. Adaptation will involve convening a panel of Veteran and non-
Veteran experts who will provide input on aspects of the intervention and interventionist training that may
require adaptation. Veteran interventionists and Veteran participants will be recruited through the Southeast
Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS), the broader community, and an existing network of
contacts established by the Veteran Informed Safety Intervention and Outreach Network (VISION) – a group of
community and Veteran stakeholders promoting Veteran suicide prevention. Veteran interventionists will be
trained in conducting the adapted intervention and it will be piloted with at least15 firearm owning Veterans.
This intervention will then be evaluated for initial feasibility and acceptability through use of self-report
questionnaires and qualitative interviews. Throughout the CDA-1 period, I hope to develop skills in Veteran-
engaged research and qualitative methodology, which will bolster my development as a suicide prevention
researcher. I will work closely with my primary mentor, who has extensive expertise in these research
approaches, and will complete formal didactic coursework and cyber-seminars on these topics. I also hope to
sharpen skills related to randomized controlled trial (RCT) design and analysis through traditional university
coursework, structured consultation, and mentorship. The proposed study will provide vital experience
implementing these approaches with Veterans. Data from the proposed study will be used to support a Career
Development Award-2 (CDA-2) application, which would involve a RCT investigating the efficacy of peer-
delivered LMC among Veterans. Thus, this award would provide extraordinary preparation ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10369508
- **Project number:** 1IK1CX002370-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA VETERANS HEALTH CARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Claire Houtsma
- **Activity code:** IK1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10369508

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10369508, Acceptability and Feasibility of a Peer-to-Peer Firearm-Specific Means Safety Intervention (1IK1CX002370-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10369508. Licensed CC0.

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