North Kingstown veteran works to prevent suicide through gun safety

By Mary Talbot
 |  Special to The Journal

Watching television episodes of McHale’s Navy and Victory at Sea as a youth in the 70s inspired Matt McCoy of North Kingstown to join the Navy.  He dreamt of adventure and longed to see the world when he enlisted at age 19.  His military career spanned more than two decades, including active duty during the Gulf War, before retiring as a lieutenant in 2003.

The dedication of the men and women that McCoy served with left an indelible impression upon him and he remains active with the veteran community since leaving the Navy. After reflecting on the people he met in both active duty and as a veteran, he sadly realized a few years ago that a common thread weaves itself through both communities; too many good people have taken their own lives. 

McCoy knew he couldn’t stand by without responding to this disturbing statistic.  First, he became certified as a mental health first aid instructor and then, four years ago, he stepped forward to volunteer with Moms Demand Action. 

If you (or someone you love) has thoughts of death or suicide, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line which offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Call (800) 273-8255 and press 1, text 838255 or chat online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.

Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. 

Veterans “make up about eight percent of the U.S. population yet they account for 14 percent of the deaths by suicide in the United States,” says McCoy. Veterans die by suicide disproportionately to the general population and “about 67 percent of completed veteran suicides involve a firearm.”   

“In my opinion, the bottom line is you can’t fully address the problem of veteran suicide unless we also talk about the role of firearms in that because it is a significant factor,” says McCoy. 

“When I was in the military I was trained on how to use guns — various types both automatic and semi-automatic weapons, pistols and such,” he recalls.  Statistically, one out of two veterans owns a gun. While McCoy doesn’t own a gun, he isn’t opposed to responsible gun ownership and explains that Moms Demand Action isn’t either. 

“A lot of people view groups like Moms Demand Action and Everytown [for Gun Safety] as anti-second amendment. I don’t agree with that premise or that criticism,” he says.  “I believe that they are focused on common-sense gun safety legislation and basically reducing and preventing gun violence in the United States.  And that’s why I support them. “

Almost six million people agree with McCoy and stand with him in supporting Moms Demand Action and its research and policy arm, Everytown for Gun Safety. The organization’s web site describes its membership as a “grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. We pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. We also work in our communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership.”

McCoy has focused his work as a volunteer with Moms Demand Action specifically on outreach to veterans and their families.  “There’s a direct link between veteran suicide and guns so that’s my thing. That’s the key issue I’m passionate about.”  He has contacted his legislative representatives and attended hearings at the State House as a volunteer for Moms Demand Action. McCoy has written letters to the editor and newspaper articles too.  Before the pandemic he could also be seen marching in parades and at community events, distributing information and free cable gun and trigger locks.

Background checks, waiting periods, and locks, are among those tools that McCoy favors to “buy time” for people who are in crisis. The success of implementing safeguards to restrict immediate access to firearms is “directly related to preventing suicide with a firearm,” he says.

By adding critical minutes in between suicidal ideation and action he hopes veterans’ lives will be saved.  Almost half of suicides occur within 10 minutes of someone contemplating the act, according to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. “If you don’t have immediate access to a weapon, if you have to wait and think about it, or have a background check — those things may preclude you from taking your life,” says McCoy.

Statistics from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence demonstrate physical barriers to immediate gun access also play a role in preventing tragedies. “Owners who keep their firearms locked or unloaded were at least 60 percent less likely to die from firearm-related suicide than those who store their firearms unlocked and/or loaded,” they report.

New faces in Congress are a signal that the upcoming legislative session offers promise, says McCoy. With more Democrats in Congress who ran on gun-sense platforms, he’s hopeful that previous legislative proposals will be reintroduced and thoughtfully studied. McCoy expects that passage of any of those measures might provide enough of a hurdle for some fortunate veterans to have time to reconsider suicide and to get a second chance at life.

Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day.  

Call (800) 273-8255 and press one, text 838255 or chat online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.

To find out more about Moms Demand Action, visit momsdemandaction.org.

Free gun locks are available to veterans enrolled in the VA Providence Healthcare System and can be requested from primary care providers or by calling (401) 273-7100, extension 13583.

Do you know a living veteran who would be willing to share their story?  Do you offer a program or service focused on serving retired military?  Are you planning an event aimed at veterans or their families?  Email Mary K. Talbot at [email protected].

Other resources

The Samaritans of Rhode Island: (401) 272-4044 or (800) 365-4044 website, samaritansri.org 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK, or (800) 273-8255 

The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 “from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.”  

Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. 

Calendar of Events

All meetings are in person unless noted.  Please wear masks and practice social distancing.

Jan. 18, (Virtual) Chronic Pain Self-Management Program Workshop for veterans, caregivers and families.  For more information and/or to register contact Ellen Lynch, Providence VA Medical Center.  Call (401) 273-7100, x 13970, email at [email protected], or visit https://ripin.org/chn/.    

Jan. 21, (Virtual) Family Bereavement Group, 1-2:15 p.m., offered by the Providence VA Healthcare System. To participate, pre-register by calling Bill San Antonio at (401) 273-7100, x13605.

Spots are still available for the Providence Clemente Veterans’ Initiative, a three-credit class in the humanities that is available (virtually) to veterans free of charge on Mon. and Thurs. evenings from 6-8 p.m. on Zoom.  Apply online at: https://clementecourse.org/about-us/veterans/providence-clemente. 

More: Veterans Voice: Designer’s memorial resonates with all Native American vets

More: Veterans Voice: VA begins vaccinations against COVID-19

More: Veterans Voice: Barrington brothers recall 1956 Christmas reunion when all three were home on leave

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