Gun Suicide
Gun Suicide
What is the problem?
Gun suicide claims the lives of 23,000 people in America every year. This public health crisis should be addressed to reduce gun violence in this country.
Though gun violence conversations tend to focus on homicides, nearly two-thirds of all gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides. That’s an average of 63 deaths a day. These deaths are preventable, too. Policies and practices that focus on disrupting access to firearms in times of crisis have been proven to reduce firearm suicides.
What are the solutions?
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Extreme Risk Laws
When a person is in crisis and considering harming themselves or others, family members and law enforcement are often the first people to see the warning signs. Extreme Risk laws, sometimes referred to as “Red Flag” laws, allow loved ones or law enforcement to intervene by petitioning a court for an order to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns.
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Secure Gun Storage
Gun owners can make their homes and communities safer by storing their guns securely. This means storing them locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition. Securing firearms protects children and adults by preventing unintentional shootings and gun suicides.
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Waiting Periods
A waiting period law requires a certain number of days to pass between the purchase of a gun and when the buyer can actually take possession of that gun. This creates a buffer between someone having a suicidal crisis and access to a gun.
Featured Resources

Firearm Suicide By Congressional District
There are 52 firearm suicides on average per congressional district each year, yet there is district-level variation across the country.

The Rise of Firearm Suicide Among Young Americans
Death by suicide is a significant public health problem that claims the lives of thousands of young people in the US each year.

Those Who Serve: Addressing Firearm Suicide Among Military Veterans

Firearm Suicide in the United States
Claiming the lives of more than 23,000 Americans every year, firearm suicide is a significant public health crisis.
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Gun Suicide
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The Economic Cost of Gun Violence
Federal, state, and local governments are spending a combined average of $34.8 million each day to deal with the aftermath of gun violence.
Report
Methodological Note: A More Complete Picture
Read the Report A More Complete Picture: The Contours of Gun Injury in the United States Report…
Methodological NoteA More Complete Picture: The Contours of Gun Injury in the United States
Nonfatal gunshot wounds account for an enormous portion of the gun violence epidemic in America.
Report
Gun Violence and COVID-19
The US has seen the collision of two major public health crises: COVID-19 and gun violence.
Report
Remembering and Honoring Pulse: Anti-LGBTQ Bias and Guns are Taking Lives of Countless LGBTQ People
On June 12, 2016, a man fatally shot 49 people and wounded 58 more at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, FL.
Fact Sheet
Thousands of Preventable Gun Suicides
The deep economic downturn caused by COVID-19, combined with the millions of guns already in homes and the millions more being purchased during each month…
Fact Sheet
Extreme Risk Protection Orders during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased social isolation, fear, despair, and anxiety, leading to heightened risks of suicide. For someone in distress, access to a firearm…
Fact Sheet
Gun Violence in America
We have gathered the most comprehensive, publicly available data to illustrate the magnitude of everyday gun violence.
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Extreme Risk Laws Save Lives – Stories
These stories illustrate the importance of Extreme Risk legislation in removing firearms from dangerous situations.
AppendixExtreme Risk Laws Save Lives
Extreme Risk laws, or “red flag” laws, empower family or police to intervene and temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns.
Fact Sheet
Unload, Lock, and Separate: Secure Gun Storage Practices to Reduce Violence
Secure gun storage practices should include unloading the ammunition, locking the gun, and storing it and ammunition in separate locations.
Fact Sheet
A Nation of Survivors: The Toll of Gun Violence in America
In a recent national poll, 58% of adult respondents said they or someone they care for have experienced gun violence in their lifetime.
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Disrupting Access: Addressing Firearm Suicide in the U.S.
Firearm Suicide In The U.S A growing problem Nearly 43,000 Americans die by suicide every year,1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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