The Devastating Link Between Gun Ownership and Suicide

By Chloe Pearson

The U.S. ranks number one on the list of countries with the highest amount of gun ownership, and as of last year, the number of guns owned by civilians was estimated to be at around 270 million. That’s a lot of weapons in homes with adolescents and individuals who suffer from mood disorders like depression, and the numbers linking the two are scary: according to the Annals of Internal Medicine, out of 14 recent studies, all but one found a heightened risk of death by suicide in people who had access to guns. The risk may be elevated in adolescents and those who battle depression because those two groups of people are the most likely to act on impulse, and if a gun is present in the home it is easier to do so. Also, a suicide attempt is, in many other cases, reversible. With many methods, it’s possible for the individual to change their mind and stop themselves from going through it. With a gun, that is nearly impossible.

During the years of 2009-2010, the Center for Disease Control found that suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., and that of the deaths by suicide for those years, 51% involved a gun. In 2010 there were nearly 8,000 more gun deaths by suicide than homicide. Those numbers are staggering when added to the fact that suicide is prevalent in people who suffer from a mental illness, mood disorder, or trauma such as PTSD.

“If every life is important, and if you’re trying to save people from dying by gunfire, then you can’t ignore nearly two-thirds of the people who are dying,” says Matthew Miller, associate director of the Harvard Injury Control Research Center.

It can be difficult to conduct a study on the risks for every individual, so it’s important to remember the people who are most at risk for suicide. These include veterans, victims of abuse, those who suffer from substance abuse, and anyone battling depression. 

Veterans may be the most likely to have a weapon in their home and are familiar with their use, so it’s imperative to watch for warning signs of depression or thoughts of suicide. These include withdrawing from family and friends, suffering from loss of sleep or sleeping too much, exhibiting self-destructive behavior, voicing thoughts of worthlessness, and experiencing a sudden physical decline. Because veterans are also at risk for substance abuse problems, it’s also a good idea to reach out to a loved one you suspect may be using and let them know they are not alone and that there is help to be found.

It’s important to remember that these studies aren’t proving that gun owners are more suicidal; rather, that they are more at risk of death should they become suicidal due to depression or traumatic event. Males are especially at risk, as they tend to use guns in suicide more than women. Having easy access to a gun can be dangerous for a person who has just gone through a divorce or big life change, or to a teenager who doesn’t have the coping methods that an adult has. 

One of the best ways to prevent suicide when there is a gun in the home is to keep the weapon unloaded, with a trigger lock on, in a locked location separate from the bullets. Practicing gun safety at home includes making the weapon difficult for everyone to access, and teaching children and teens about the dangers of handling a weapon.

Chloe Pearson is a research specialist and freelance writer. She enjoys volunteering for ConsumerHealthLabs.com because she understands that in order for consumers to make the best decisions about their health they need reliable, well-researched information on which to base those decisions. And that’s precisely what everyone at Consumer Health Labs aims to do as they explore and interpret new health-related data and research.