Title: State Firearm Laws and Rates of Suicide in Men and Women

Publication Date: November 2003

What does it say?

This study examines the association between strong state gun laws and suicide in men and women. Data for this analysis was derived from both the 2000 Census and individual state suicide data from 1999 and 2000.

States with the strongest gun laws showed lower rates of suicide both overall and for men and for women relative to states with modest or unrestrictive laws. The results do not support the hypothesis that if guns are less available, people will substitute to other lethal methods like hanging. This means that stronger gun laws may be associated with lower overall suicide rates, not just lower firearm suicide rates. The study controlled for measures of race/ethnicity, income, and urbanization.

How can I use it?

This study builds on other research finding higher gun death rates in states with weaker gun laws and higher gun ownership. Use this study to advocate for strong gun laws like background checks on all gun sales, including those at gun shows.

Citation

Conner KR, Zhong Y, “State Firearm Laws and Rates of Suicide in Men and Women,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 25(4) (2003):320-324

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