Friday Oct 16, 2026
Friday, October 16th Grace Baptist Church of Gardner, Kansas Free food and childcare provided!
Grace Baptist Church
Behind the Counter & The Badge: A Community Conversation on Mental Health and Firearm Safety
Date and Time
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
6:30pm - 8:00pmLocation
650 E Madison St
Gardner, KS 66030Fees/Admission
Let us know you're coming!
https://connect.jocogov.org/civicrm/event/info?id=2595&reset=1Contact Information
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Description
Come for the conversation. Leave with resources, connections and practical tools to help someone you care about.
Behind the Counter & The Badge: A Com...
Join local firearm retailers, first responders and mental health professionals for an honest conversation about recognizing when someone may be struggling, supporting the people we care about and using practical resources to promote safety during difficult times.
Friday, October 16, 2026 | 6:30–8 p.m.
Grace Baptist Church
650 E. Madison St.
Gardner, KS 66030
Free food and childcare provided
Featured Panelists
Ryq Farnow - Owner, Up in Arms Kansas
Jen Melby - Co-Responder, Johnson County Mental Health Center
Capt. Zach Roberts - Operations Commander, Gardner Police Department
The conversation will include:
Recognizing when someone may be struggling
Starting conversations about mental health
Supporting the men, fathers, friends and family members we care about
Practicing firearm safety during difficult times
Voluntary temporary firearm storage through The Armory Project
Practical resources and ways our community can help
Free firearm safety devices
Attendees will have an opportunity to receive a free STOPBOX firearm safety device through a raffle drawing during the event. Available while supplies last.
Please Note: This event is intended for adults and will include discussion of sensitive topics related to mental health, suicide, crisis and firearm safety. Attendees are encouraged to consider their comfort level with these topics.
Presented by Johnson County Mental Health Center's Secure & Protect Initiative