Suicide
Suicide
What is the problem?
Gun suicide claims the lives of more 25,000 people in the US every year.1Everytown Research analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. WONDER Online Database, Underlying Cause of Death. A yearly average was developed using five years of the most recent available data: 2018 to 2022. This public health crisis should be addressed to reduce gun violence in this country.
Though gun violence conversations tend to focus on homicides, nearly six out of every 10 gun deaths in the US are suicides. That’s an average of 69 deaths a day.1Everytown Research analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. WONDER Online Database, Underlying Cause of Death. An average was developed using five years of the most recent available data: 2018 to 2022. These deaths can be prevented. 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 unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.
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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
![](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Artboard-1-1-640x640.png)
Those Who Serve: Addressing Firearm Suicide Among Military Veterans
Veterans are more likely than the general population to die by suicide. We must address the role of guns in this preventable crisis.
![Visual of a bridge juxtaposed over a map with dots on it](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/Gun-Suicide-Cities-Featured-Image-090622A-640x640.png)
Gun Suicide in Cities: The Lesser-Known Side of City Gun Violence
Rates of people who die by gun suicide in cities are on the rise, but, until now, a dearth of city-level data leaves it often overlooked.
![](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/05/Youth-Suicide-Report-Featured-WEB-051822A-1-640x640.jpg)
The Rise of Firearm Suicide Among Young Americans
Firearm suicide is having a devastating impact on American youth, particularly during COVID-19. But suicide can be prevented.
![Collage of secure gun storage devices](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/11/Secure-Storage-Guide-Meta-110321A-640x640.jpg)
Guide to Secure Gun Storage Devices
Secure gun storage can prevent theft and access by children, unauthorized users, and anyone who may pose a danger to themself or others.
All Resources
Suicide
All Resources
The Relationship Between Firearms, Mass Shootings and Suicide Risk among LGBTQ+ Young People
This research brief is the product of a collaboration between The Trevor Project and the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. Background Deaths…
Report![](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/LGBTQTrevor-Project-Report-Featured-060524A-640x360.png)
New Data, Same Conclusion: Smart Gun Laws Save Lives
Everytown's Gun Law Rankings show a clear correlation between states with strong gun laws and lower rates of gun violence.
Everytown Research & Policy![](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Gun-Law-Ranking-Permitless-SOCIAL-010324A-640x360.png)
Two Decades of Suicide Prevention Laws: Lessons from National Leaders in Gun Safety Policy
In order to understand the variability in state-level firearm suicide rates, Everytown has examined the role of state gun safety policies.
Everytown Research & Policy![](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/ET-Law-Center-For-Defense-FEATURED-041922A-640x360.jpg)
Promising Approaches for Implementing Extreme Risk Laws: A Guide for Practitioners and Policymakers
This guide details the best available practices and promising approaches to effective implementation of extreme risk laws.
Report![](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/ERPO-research-featured-image-031523A-640x360.png)
Suicidio con armas de fuego en las ciudades: El lado menos conocido de la violencia con armas de fuego en las ciudades
Las tasas de personas que mueren por suicidio con armas de fuego en las ciudades están en aumento.
Report![Visual of a bridge juxtaposed over a map with dots on it](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/Gun-Suicide-Cities-Featured-Image-090622A-640x360.png)
Be SMART
The Be SMART campaign raises awareness about how secure gun storage can save children’s lives.
Initiative![Logo of Be SMART program](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/02/logo_BeSmart_-640x360.png)
Guide to Using Extreme Risk Orders to Save Lives
This guide presents the state of play in the states with Extreme Risk laws and aims to lift up examples of effective implementation.
Everytown Research & PolicyA Continuum of Gun Access Interventions for Preventing Gun Suicide
Gun access interventions exist on a continuum, a chain of actions that can be taken depending on the severity of the crisis.
Fact SheetFirearm 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.
Report![](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/09/Congressional-District-Suicide-Featured-Image-092120A-640x360.png)
Gun Violence in America
We have gathered the most comprehensive, publicly available data to illustrate the magnitude of everyday gun violence.
Report![A person with an America flag over their shoulders](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/05/josh-johnson-ALGRkWz3-yc-unsplash-640x360.jpg)
Extreme 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![A person stands in the dark looking out a window](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/07/Extreme-Risk-Laws-Report-Silhouette-Blinds-640x360.jpg)
Examples of How Extreme Risk Laws Save Lives
These stories illustrate the importance of Extreme Risk legislation in removing firearms from dangerous situations.
AppendixThose Who Serve: Addressing Firearm Suicide Among Military Veterans
Our country’s veterans are at a heightened risk of suicide, and firearms are the prevailing method of suicide among veterans.
Fact Sheet![An American flag at half mast](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/06/GettyImages-537825010-640x360.jpg)
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![Illustration of the proper method of gun storage. The illustration shows a gun being unloaded, locked, and being stored separate from the ammunition](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/06/secure-storage-640x360.png)
Firearm Suicide in the United States
Firearm suicide is preventable, and addressing it is an essential element of any strategy to reduce gun violence in America.
Fact Sheet![Six out of every 10 gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides, resulting in an average of 65 deaths a day.](https://everytownresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/08/Suicide-Fact-Sheet-Featured-WEB-011222A-640x360.png)