Firearm regulations and rates of suicides

Article Abstract:

In the United States, suicide is the tenth most common cause of death overall, and the third most common cause of death among adolescents and young adults. Fifty-seven percent of suicides in the United States involve firearms; it has been suggested that gun control may reduce the incidence of suicide. In order to determine the relation between suicide and firearm regulations, the prevalence of suicide between 1985 and 1987 in King County, Washington was compared to that in Vancouver, British Columbia, where firearm regulations are more restrictive. The risk of death from suicide did not differ between the two study areas, although the rate of suicide by firearms, in particular by handguns, was higher in King County, Washington than that in Vancouver, British Columbia. Suicide by methods other than firearms was greater in Vancouver. King County had a higher rate of suicide among persons between 15 and 24 years of age and an almost 10-fold higher rate of suicide by handguns compared with that in Vancouver. The results indicate that restricting access to handguns may reduce the incidence of suicide among persons aged 15 to 24, but may not reduce the overall suicide rate. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Social aspects, Research, Prevention, Suicide prevention, Youth, Gun control, Vancouver, British Columbia, King County, Washington, Washington (State)

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Suicide in the home in relation to gun ownership

Article Abstract:

Individuals who have guns in their home may have a higher risk for committing suicide than other individuals. Suicide is the eighth most common cause of death in the US, and guns are used more often than any other method to commit suicide. Of 803 individuals who committed suicide over a 32-month period, 565 (70%) committed suicide in their own home. Among the individuals who committed suicide at home, 325 (58%) killed themselves using a gun. Interviews with close friends and relatives of suicide victims revealed that they were more likely than other individuals to live alone, to have been arrested, to have abused drugs or alcohol, to have taken psychotropic drugs or to have not graduated from high school. Taking all these factors into consideration, suicide victims were more likely than other people to have at least one gun in their home.

Firearms owners

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Alcohol and illicit drug abuse and the risk of violent death in the home

Article Abstract:

Alcohol and drug abuse appear to play an important role in violent death among family members. Researchers interviewed the family members of 388 homicide victims and 438 people who committed suicide as well as an equal number of people who served as the control group. Alcohol and drug abuse increased the risk of homicide and suicide and the risk of violent death. Non-drinking family members of drinkers also had an increased homicide rate. Non-drug-using family members of drug users had 11 times the risk of homicide.

Drinking of alcoholic beverages, Drinking (Alcoholic beverages), Drug abuse, Homicide

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