January 12, 2026

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins Will Speak at SHOT Show Suicide Prevention Town Hall

LAS VEGAS — NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, will present for the first time a general session on suicide prevention at its annual trade show — the SHOT Show — in Las Vegas this month. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins will deliver opening remarks at the session.

Secretary Collins will be followed by a panel of suicide prevention and industry experts, including NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi, who will focus on how the firearm-owning community can help reduce suicide deaths, particularly those involving a firearm.

The SHOT Show Suicide Prevention Town Hall will take place on Thursday, January 22, from 2 to 3:15 p.m. local time. Anyone who is registered for the SHOT Show and has interest in helping to prevent suicide is welcome to attend this session. Those already registered for SHOT Show can add the suicide prevention session to their schedule by emailing [email protected]. Those who have not yet registered for the show can add the session when making their registration.

“NSSF is honored to have Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins provide the keynote address at the first SHOT Show Suicide Prevention Town Hall,” said Bartozzi. “Addressing suicide prevention, especially suicide involving firearms, is a priority for NSSF. Our community has a role to play in saving lives.”

For nearly a decade, NSSF has been working to help reduce suicide deaths among veterans and non-veterans. Yearly, more than 50 percent of U.S. suicide deaths are by self-inflicted firearm injury, and that number rises to 74 percent among veterans. There is hope, however, in knowing that suicide is preventable, and that trusted messengers — like individuals and companies in the firearm community — can inform gun owners and their families how to help loved ones who are at risk.

To heighten awareness about suicide prevention in the firearm-owning community and beyond, NSSF has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and developed resources to equip individuals and organizations with knowledge to save lives. The NSSF-AFSP suicide prevention toolkit for firearm retailers and shooting ranges is at the core of the NSSF-AFSP “Have a Brave Conversation” suicide prevention program.

The panel of suicide prevention and industry experts will cover how industry and the firearm-owning community can deliver messaging to equip individuals to save lives. These messages can cover knowing about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line (call 988 and press 1) to understanding the warning signs of suicide to knowing how to have a “brave conversation” with someone you’re concerned about.

The panelists will be Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO and Chairman of the Project ChildSafe Foundation; Jacquelyn Clark, co-owner of Bristlecone Shooting, Training and Retail Center and a member of the NSSF Board of Governors; Dr. Emmy Betz, MD, MPH, Professor, Emergency Medicine, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz; Dr. Chris Barsotti, MD, Emergency Physician, Berkshire Medical Center; and Michael Sodini, President, Walk the Talk America. Bill Brassard, NSSF Senior Director, Communications, who oversees NSSF’s suicide prevention efforts, will moderate.

SHOT Show is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. It is the world’s premier exposition of firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics and related products and services. The SHOT Show is a trade show and not open to the general public.

Remember, those who are already registered for SHOT Show can add the Suicide Prevention Town Hall to their schedule by emailing [email protected].

-30-

About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

________________________

NSSF Media contact:
Bill Brassard
203-426-1320 ext. 212

Categories: BP Item, Featured, Press Releases, Top Stories