In the News: Guns and Suicide

Source: Library of Congress / Public Domain

As part of a special series, Guns in America: A Loaded Relationship, NPR's Kirk Siegler reported a story about guns and suicide in Wyoming.

Of all the people who die by gun in the United States, nearly two-thirds of those deaths are by suicide. Among many Americans, especially in rural areas, the liberty to possess firearms is an important aspect of their life and culture. Unfortunately, guns also provide easy and accessible lethal means for those in crisis. 

The argument can be made that those intent on suicide will find the means to commit it. In areas where gun ownership is common, guns are the usually the leading method of suicide, and by considerably margins. But in areas where firearms are not so ubiquitous, other methods (e.g. falling, poison) often make up the majority of suicides. 

However, states with the highest rates of gun ownership, like Wyoming and Alaska, often correspond to those with highest rates of suicide. With that evidence, one would expect, then, that limiting the availability of guns would curb suicide rates. But in places where gun culture is so personally entrenched, gun control is not a viable option. Rather, we must rely on promoting suicide awareness and firearm safety to reduce suicide rates in these areas. When you see others depressed or in crisis, make every effort possible to persuade them to seek help from mental health professionals. Urge those that own guns to keep their firearms and ammunition locked in their homes. You can help just by spreading awareness.

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