Publication Date: October 2009
What does it say?
Risk factors for firearm suicide among men include: older age, veteran status, residing in areas with higher rates of firearm availability, raised blood alcohol concentration, acute crisis, and relationships problems. Among women, the risk factors include: being older, married, white, and a veteran, residing in areas with higher rates of firearm availability, having an acute crisis, recent death of a relative or friend, being depressed, and having relationship problems.
How can I use it?
Congress has recently taken up attempts to make it easier for mentally incompetent veterans to possess firearms. This study finds that veteran status is a risk factor for firearm suicide for both men and women.
Citation
Kaplan, MS, McFarland BH, and Huguet N, "Characteristics of Adult Male and Female Firearm Suicide Decedents: Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System," Injury Prevention 15(2009):322-327