The Risk of Guns on Suicide

Abstract

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in America. Every day, about 125 Americans take their own lives. Firearms play a vital role in this statistic, as around 60% of deaths by suicide involve the use of firearms. Evidence suggests that higher rates of suicides by firearm are related to fewer state gun laws. Given that nearly 50% of suicidal attempts are done impulsively with little planning, easy access to firearms can pose as a danger to individuals who are experiencing frequent suicidal thoughts. This is particularly true, as 90% of individuals who attempt suicide using a firearm ultimately die. The present paper discusses access to firearms and its risk on suicide.