Watertown Group Hosts Discussion on Home Gun Safety, Suicide Prevention

A panel will tackle the issue of gun safety in the home and suicide during a gun safety forum at the Watertown Library.

Watertown4GunSafety hosts the gun safety forum featuring Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, Newton-Wellesley Hospital surgeon Dr. Michael Reinhorn, Lisa Capoccia of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and Anne Marie Crowell, founder of safegunssavekids.org.

The free forum will be held Thursday, April 4, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank West Meeting Room at the Watertown Public Library, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Each year more than 20,000 Americans end their lives by shooting themselves with a gun, according to Watertown4GunSafety.

"We are not telling anyone what to do, what they can own or not own, we are saying, that as a community, we can, and should, try a few things that might make a difference," members of Watertown4GunSafety said in an announcement about the event.  

According to the announcement:

• Suicide by gun is an issue Sheriff Koutoujian is working on and deals daily.

• Dr. Reinhorn will give a perspective most don't hear. When he enters the picture, it is usually during an operation to save a life.  

• Lisa Capoccia, a Watertown resident, will speak about warning signs, situations we should look for, and what to do when we have concerns about a loved one.

• Ann Marie Crowell knows about tragedy resulting from a gun. Ann Marie's 12-year old son was shot, by accident, Christmas Eve, 1997. Since that time she has devoted her life to speaking to families and groups about securing their homes, and protecting their families outside of the home.