Department of Pediatrics

Christian Pulcini, M.D., M.Ed., M.P.H., assistant professor of emergency medicine (left), and Rebecca Bell, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics

(FEBRUARY 15, 2023) Christian Pulcini, M.D., M.Ed., M.P.H., assistant professor of emergency medicine, and Rebecca Bell, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, commented to NBC5 in response to an announcement by Vermont’s top law enforcement officials that they’re making thousands of free gun locks available to the public across the state.

Pulcini said research shows that gun locks work. “Individuals within that home are 78 percent less likely to have a self-inflicted injury,” he said.

Bell said she thinks this is a good idea because Vermont has one of the highest suicide rates by gun in the nation. “Those that choose to use a firearm in a suicide attempt are often doing so impulsively and they’re experiencing a temporary crisis,” she said. “We know if we can give our loved ones time and space, we can keep them safe.”