Whitney/Strong

Come learn the warning signs with us. Link in bio. (If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988.) Sources: 62% gun suicide stat: CDC mortality data, 2024. 90% mass shooter stat: A. Lankford, "Identifying Potential Mass Shooters and Suicide Terrorists With ...."

It's why our Save A Life program trained 314 people in QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention training last year alone, and why we're bringing the training back on May 12 for Whitney's Birthday Wish.

You cannot talk about gun violence in this country without talking about suicide. 62% of gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides. Research also shows that 90% of mass shooters had suicidal thoughts or behaviors before their attacks. The connection is not a coincidence.

If you have received a lock from us, passed one along, or helped fund the kits, thank you. You are in this number. Reach out to request a lock or fund one here: buff.ly/OWaw4k3

Quick number that means a lot to us: 16,422 This is how many gun locks have been distributed through Whitney/Strong to date. 2,210 of them went out in 2025 alone. Every one represents a home that is a little safer tonight than it was before.

HB 299 recently advanced in Frankfort after passing the House, and it now sits in the Senate. Hearing bipartisan support for this legislation was an encouraging reminder that progress is possible when we treat gun safety like the nonpartisan issue it is.

“I’m a mom of three young kids…” That is where this starts for so many people. Not with politics, but with love, protection, and the realization that no family is untouched by the fear of gun violence. This moment also gave us hope.

We’re excited to welcome two new members to the Whitney/Strong Organization Board: Dr. Heather Felton and Barbara Lankford. Dr. Felton is a Louisville pediatrician and faculty member at the UofL. Barbara is an executive career coach and leadership development advocate.

London is stepping into the role of Interim Board Chair. London has been a dedicated board member since July 2023, but her connection to our mission began even earlier through her suicide prevention work with the Louisville Health Advisory Board.

HB 299 has passed the House. HB 299 would ban auto sears, commonly called Glock switches. Next: the bill moves to the Senate, where it will be assigned to a committee for consideration. We are hopeful momentum will continue and we’ll keep sharing updates as it advances.

If your lawmaker sits on the House VMAPP Committee and voted in support, please send them an email of thanks for their vote. Next, the bill will move to the floor.

Thank you to the Kentucky Chiefs of Police Association, the Kentucky Sheriffs' Association , the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, the Kentucky Psychological Association, and the many others who worked to make this moment possible.

HB 299, AKA the "Glock switch ban", passed favorably out of the House's VMAPP Committee.

StoryRise raffle tickets are live! Only 100 raffle tickets will be sold for each item, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. buff.ly/938MVDN

Kentucky leaders are paying attention to the rise of illegal “Glock switches”. Law enforcement across the Commonwealth is urging the General Assembly to pass HB 299 so Kentucky has clear tools to address these devices at the state level. Read their Ietter to learn more.

Thursday, Feb 26 | 8:30 AM–12:30 PM KY Capitol Annex, Frankfort Partner: Sandy Hook Promise Register: buff.ly/aUwiUw2

Never advocated before? No problem. We’ll schedule your meetings, you’ll be with a group, and we’ll prep everyone with one virtual training ahead of time.

Capitol Day sign-ups are open. Join us in Frankfort on Thursday, February 26.