If your child is holding a gun or knife, threatening self-harm with a weapon, or can reach one right now, this page helps you quickly understand when emergency help is needed and what to do next.
Start with what is happening at this moment so we can provide personalized guidance for a child with a weapon, recent weapon access, or a serious safety concern at home.
Call 911 right away if your child is holding or carrying a weapon, is threatening self-harm with a gun or knife, is making suicidal statements while near a weapon, or you cannot safely remove access. If you believe anyone is in immediate danger, emergency services are the right next step. If you can do so safely, create distance, avoid grabbing for the weapon, keep your voice calm, and move other people away from the area.
If your child is holding a gun, knife, or other weapon now, or moving around with it, treat this as an emergency and call 911.
If your child is saying they want to die, threatening self-harm, or acting impulsively while a weapon is within reach, call 911.
If you are unable to secure the weapon, leave the room safely, or protect others in the home, emergency responders can help manage the immediate danger.
Keep your words short and calm. Avoid arguing, sudden movements, or trying to physically take the weapon unless there is no safer option.
Move siblings and other family members away. Put barriers and space between your child and others if you can do so safely.
Tell the dispatcher what weapon is involved, whether your child is threatening self-harm, where everyone is located, and whether anyone is injured.
Remove firearms, knives, and other dangerous items from access right away. If a gun was found, unload it only if you know how to do so safely and store it locked and separate from ammunition.
Even if the weapon is no longer in hand, recent access plus self-harm threats can still be an emergency, especially if your child is agitated, missing, or trying to regain access.
If the danger is not clearly immediate, answer a few questions to get personalized guidance based on whether your child recently had access, found a gun, or may still be able to reach a weapon.
If your child can reach a gun right now and is making suicidal threats, is highly distressed, or you cannot secure the firearm immediately, call 911. Immediate access can become an emergency very quickly.
Yes. A teen holding a knife while threatening self-harm should be treated as an emergency. Call 911, keep distance if possible, and avoid trying to physically take the knife unless there is no safer option.
If the gun is in your child's hands or within reach, prioritize immediate safety and call 911 if there is any threat, panic, or inability to secure it safely. If the situation is calm and you can safely secure the firearm, do so and then assess whether your child is at risk of self-harm or may try to access it again.
Recent weapon access still matters, especially if your child has talked about wanting to die, has been impulsive, or may know where the weapon is stored. Secure all weapons and use the assessment to get guidance on whether emergency care or urgent mental health support is needed.
Answer a few questions about whether your child is holding a weapon, has immediate access, or recently had access. You will get clear next steps focused on safety and when emergency help is appropriate.
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