Gun Safety and Alzheimer's: Navigating the Challenge of Removing Firearms

If you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, you may have considered safety issues. These include driving and changes to the home. But have you thought about gun safety? Up to 6 out of 10 US homes have firearms present. So, this is an essential area of home safety to consider.

The good news is there are many common sense, respectful ways to keep everyone safe as dementia progresses.

Firearms are sometimes forgotten when planning for a future with dementia.

Having firearms in the home can be dangerous to everyone when a household member has Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The person may no longer recognize family or friends and think they are intruders who must be stopped. The person may react if they develop paranoia, anger, hostility, or suspect loved ones of harm. These are all common symptoms of Alzheimer’s that can make access to guns particularly dangerous.

A once-experienced gun owner may lose the reflexes, quick thinking, and decision-making skills needed to handle a firearm safely. Even if a gun is unloaded, the person with dementia and others can still be harmed.

For example, first responders may not know a gun being pointed at them is unloaded or disabled and respond with tragic results.

Put a plan in place as early as possible.

Firearm safety can be a tricky topic, incredibly challenging if the person has a history of gun collecting, hunting, or sport shooting. People may be sentimentally attached to their weapons or feel unsafe without them.

It is better to begin this sensitive discussion early so your loved one can express their wishes and help create a plan. Don’t wait until you have to decide for them. Keep in mind that your plan will need to address current safety issues and what will be done as dementia gets worse.

By approaching the topic of gun safety with sensitivity and foresight, families can protect their loved ones and themselves from potential harm, ensuring a safer living environment for everyone involved.

Addressing gun safety in homes with someone with Alzheimer’s is vital for preventing potential tragedies. Families can navigate this sensitive issue by planning early and involving trusted individuals while respecting their loved one’s dignity and ensuring everyone’s safety.

Some ideas for your talk include:

Talk about who might inherit different pieces. You can put it in the context of finding people who can provide necessary upkeep when keeping a gun in good working order, which has become too much. Your person may be open to giving their weapons to someone who can adequately maintain and enjoy them.

Consider selling valuable firearms and setting aside money to help pay for care later.

Get agreement from everyone involved that when the time comes, firearms will be removed from the home. Appoint someone your person trusts and who is knowledgeable about firearm safety to be in charge of this task.

Having an advanced directive in place can be an excellent way to document what everyone has agreed to for handling firearms now and in the future. Finally, always emphasize that the disease, not the person, is the concern.

It may be, however, necessary to remove firearms without your loved ones’ permission due to a rapid onset of dementia. Make sure to check the home and vehicles for concealed firearms thoroughly. A gun may be concealed in a car, and a loved one may suddenly remember and pull it out if accessible as a passenger, and this can be a dangerous situation.

Realizing that a loved one might be dangerous to themselves or others can be difficult, but steps must be taken to keep everyone safe.

Some options for how to handle guns in the home include:

In-house storage

A popular first step is to lock guns in a cabinet, lockbox, or gun safe, separate from ammunition.

If you already have this type of security in place, changing the current code, lock and or keys would be necessary to prevent loved one from access.

Disabling or disassembling guns

Disassembling or disabling a gun may be a good option if your loved one is anxious about not having firearms around.

A local gun shop, firing range, or law enforcement may be able to help you disable a gun if you do not know how. However, unless a gun looks disassembled, others may not realize they cannot be harmed if it is pointed at them.

Give away or sell guns.

Some people may be open to selling a valuable collection to use the money to pay for their care. Or local law enforcement may have a buyback program.

When someone is sentimentally attached to a gun, giving it to a special person may be what they prefer. This can be especially true of family heirlooms.

Other tips when removing guns from the home:

When it comes time to remove firearms from the home, there are several steps you can take to make the process easier:

Make sure all guns are unloaded and safe to transport before moving them.
Remove all firearms when the person is not at home, especially if they are no longer able to consent.
Remove all reminders of the collection, including racks, cabinets, cases, ammunition, and holsters.
Be prepared to redirect your person to another activity if they get angry or anxious.
Acknowledge the person’s feelings about the loss of their guns.
Regardless of how you and your loved one decide to handle firearms in the home, it is important to keep gun laws and regulations in mind. You may need to follow specific forms or rules before moving, gifting, or selling firearms. Each state has different laws, so check with local law enforcement or a gun retailer before taking action.

The Growing Prevalence of Alzheimer’s

As of 2024, an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. This number is expected to nearly double to 13 million by 2050 unless significant advancements in prevention or treatment are made (BrightFocus) (Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia). Given this rising prevalence, addressing firearm safety in Alzheimer’s households is more critical than ever.