199: "This Only Happens to Other People, Until it Happens to You:" A Father on Suicide and Firearm Storage (Part 1)
Red, Blue, and Brady
TaLeah Christine Harris was only 15 when she died. A vibrant young woman, she enjoyed art and fashion, but suffered from anxiety and depression. On April 30th, 1998, she gained access to an unsecured firearm — her father, law enforcement officer, Dennis Harris' duty weapon —and died of suicide.
In the years that followed, Dennis and the whole Harris family became committed advocates for suicide prevention and for safe storage. Now retired after 41 years in law enforcement, Dennis runs T-Lock, a company that produces smart gun locks with motion sensor alarms. In this episode, Dennis joins hosts Kelly and JJ to share TaLeah's story, his experiences as an advocate, and his hopes that T-Lock (and products like it) will prevent other families from experiencing the suffering that he has.
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Mentioned in this podcast:
Retired lieutenant creates advanced gun lock after his daughter died by suicide (Fox)
Firearm Access is a Risk Factor for Suicide (Harvard School of Public Health)
How easy access to guns at home contributes to America’s youth suicide problem (the Conversation)
Locking up guns could reduce teen and childhood firearm deaths by a third (CNN)
For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.
Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.
Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady
For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.
Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.
Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady
