Guns in the home when someone has dementia

Many older adults in the United States keep guns at home.³ For some, a gun is tied to years of hunting, military service or feeling safe. When a person starts living with dementia, that same gun can become a serious danger to them and to everyone around them.¹

This page explains why the risk grows, how to lock guns up or move them out of the home, and how to talk about it without starting a fight. It is written for families and caregivers, but people in the early stage of dementia can use it to plan ahead too.

Why guns become riskier with dementia

Dementia is a group of brain diseases that slowly harm memory, thinking and judgment. Over time, these changes affect how a person handles anything that can hurt them, including a gun.

Confusion and mistaken identity. As the disease moves forward, a person may stop recognizing people they have known for years. They may think a spouse, an adult child or a home aide is an intruder.¹ If a gun is within reach, a moment of fear can end in tragedy. Read more about hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.

Fear, anger and agitation. Some people with dementia become easily upset, especially late in the day or in a new place. They may feel threatened by things that are not real. See agitation and aggression for ways to calm these moments.

Lost skills and judgment. Safe gun handling depends on memory and quick, careful thinking. A person who once handled guns well may forget whether a gun is loaded or forget basic safety rules.

Depression and suicide risk. Depression can come with dementia, and a new diagnosis can bring fear and grief. In the United States in 2022, more than half of all gun deaths were suicides. Gun suicide rates are highest in adults aged 75 and older.⁴ Read about apathy and depression in dementia.

The risk is not only to the person with dementia. The Alzheimer's Association warns that guns in a home with dementia can put everyone at risk, including caregivers, visitors and children.¹

Your safest options, ranked

Every family is different. Here are the main choices, from safest to least safe.

1. Move all guns out of the home. Experts in dementia care suggest removing guns and other weapons from the home, or locking them away.^1,2 Removing them is the surest way to prevent an accident. Options may include:

• Giving or selling guns to a trusted relative or friend who can legally own them
• Asking a licensed gun shop or your local police department whether they can store guns for a while
• Selling guns through a licensed dealer

Plans like these are not always easy. A study of caregivers, police, health workers and gun shop staff found that families often faced unclear rules about who can receive a gun, how long a transfer can last, and how to involve police or stores.³ Call ahead and ask what is allowed. Virginia's law on background checks for gun sales was changed again in 2026, so check the current rules before you sell or hand over a gun.⁸

2. If guns stay, lock them up. The VA dementia caregiver guide advises making weapons safe and keeping them locked away.² Good habits include:

• Keep every gun in a locked gun safe or locked cabinet.¹ Store each one unloaded.
• Lock ammunition in a separate place.
• Keep the keys or the code where only you and other trusted adults can get them. Do not use a code the person might guess, such as a birthday.
• Do not leave a gun in a nightstand, a car, a closet or under a mattress.
• Check the whole home. Look in sheds, garages, cars, hunting bags and old jackets for guns or ammunition that may have been forgotten.

3. Ask a gun shop about making a gun unable to fire. Some families ask a gunsmith to disable a gun that has deep personal meaning. Keep in mind that a gun that looks real can still cause danger. If police or neighbors see the person holding it, they may think it is loaded.

How to start the conversation

Talking about guns can feel hard. A gun may stand for independence, protection, skill or a family tradition. Taking it away can feel like losing part of who you are. Go gently and plan ahead.

1. Start early. The best time to talk is soon after diagnosis, while the person can still share their wishes and help choose a plan. Some people choose to write down who should take their guns, and when, as part of their wider plans. See advance directives and power of attorney.
2. Choose a calm time and place. Avoid late afternoon or evening, when confusion and agitation are often worse.
3. Lead with care and safety. Try, "We want to keep you and the grandkids safe," rather than "You can't be trusted with guns anymore."
4. Invite a trusted messenger. Some people listen better to a doctor, a hunting buddy, a fellow veteran or a faith leader than to a spouse or child.
5. Offer choices. Let the person help decide who will keep the guns and which ones matter most. Giving a favorite rifle to a grandchild who is old enough may feel better than selling it.
6. Expect more than one talk. If the first talk goes badly, stop, stay kind and try again another day. Do not argue or try to win.

If the person can no longer understand the risk, you may need to act quietly for their safety, such as removing ammunition or moving guns while they are out. Our page on talking with someone who has dementia has more tips. The same skills help with the talk about driving.

When there is danger now

Suicide can be prevented, and help is available. Learn more in helping someone with depression and when a family member is in a mental health crisis.

Virginia: substantial risk orders

Virginia has a court process called an emergency substantial risk order (often called a "red flag" law). It lets a judge or magistrate temporarily stop a person from having, buying or carrying guns when there is reason to believe they are a substantial risk of hurting themselves or others in the near future.⁶

As of October 2026, the people who can ask for an emergency order include:⁶

• Police and prosecutors (the Commonwealth's attorney)
• Immediate family members, household members and intimate partners
• Some health professionals, such as doctors and licensed mental health professionals

How it works, in brief:

• The request is made under oath, and the judge or magistrate decides whether there is enough cause.⁶
• An emergency order lasts up to 14 days. The person is given the chance to turn over their guns, and police give a receipt listing each one.⁶
• A court hearing then decides whether a longer order is needed. A longer order can last up to 180 days and can be extended if the risk continues.⁷
• If the court finds there is no substantial risk, the guns are returned under the rules in the law.⁷

This is a serious legal step. Most families with a person living with dementia will not need it. It may help when a person refuses to give up guns and is showing signs of danger, such as threats, violence or talk of suicide. Laws change, so ask your local police, the Commonwealth's attorney's office or an elder law attorney about the current process.

Tips for caregivers

• Make a gun check part of your home safety walk-through. See our room-by-room home safety checklist.
• Tell the doctor about guns in the home. The care team can help with the talk and watch for depression or paranoia.
• Share the plan. Make sure other family members and paid aides know where guns are, or that they have been removed.
• Think about visitors and new homes. If the person moves in with a relative, ask whether there are guns in that home too.
• Care for yourself. These choices are stressful. Read about caregiver stress and burnout.

The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 is free. Staff can talk through safety concerns with you.¹¹ For more safety topics, go back to safety at home and outside.

Common questions

My father hunted his whole life. Is it wrong to take his guns?

No. Wanting to keep him and others safe is an act of care. Try to honor what hunting meant to him. Talk about his best trips, keep a photo or trophy on display, or pass a gun on to a family member who will use it. What matters most is that he cannot reach a working gun when confused or upset.

Is a locked gun safe enough?

Locking guns lowers the risk, but it only works if the person cannot get the key or code. People with dementia may still remember old habits, like where a key is hidden. Moving guns out of the home is the safest choice.^1,2

What if the guns belong to me, not the person with dementia?

The same risks apply. A person with dementia may find and use any gun in the home.¹ Lock up your guns and ammunition, or store them somewhere else while you are caregiving.

Can the police just take the guns?

In Virginia, a court can order guns removed through a substantial risk order when there is a serious risk of harm in the near future.⁶ Short of that, removing guns usually means working with the owner and family. Some families ask local police whether they can hold guns for safekeeping, but practices differ and the rules can be confusing.³

Education only. This page is general information written from the sources listed. It is not medical, legal or financial advice and does not replace a doctor, therapist or lawyer who knows your situation. How we write and check pages.