Gun In Home Doubles Risk Of Suicide

Suicide rates in the 15 states with the highest percentages of households with firearms are nearly double that of the lowest six states, shows a new study published in The Journal of Trauma.

Researchers examined data on state gun ownership rates compared to suicide statistics. Adjusting for factors such as poverty, unemployment and rates of mental illness and substance abuse, they assessed the relationship between rates of firearm ownership and rates of firearm-related and non-firearm-related suicide for four age groups and both sexes. They found that men and women of all ages were more likely to die by gun-related suicide if they lived in areas of high gun ownership. Rates of non-gun-related suicide did not appear to be related, however.

While just five percent of suicide attempts involve a gun, it accounts for the highest number of completed suicides, ultimately resulting in 50 percent of all deaths by suicide. The data thus suggests that the most effective method of reducing suicide rates is to remove firearms from homes--or at the very least secure them away from ammunition.

Read more: Study finds guns at home equal higher suicide risk
ABSTRACT: Household Firearm Ownership and Rates of Suicide Across the 50 United States.