Differentiating suicide decedents who died using firearms from those who died using other methods

Suicidal Ideation Among Individuals Who Have Purchased Firearms During COVID-19

“…The findings regarding storage practices were somewhat mixed. In contrast to research indicating that those at elevated risk for suicide are more likely to store their firearms unsafely, 15,16 COVID-19 firearm purchasers who endorsed lifetime or recent suicidal ideation were more likely to utilize a number of specific storage practices that may mitigate suicide risk. Those with lifetime suicidal ideation were less likely to store firearms hidden in a drawer or closet and loaded, and those with pastyear or past-month suicidal ideation were more likely to utilize locking devices.…”

“…14 In addition, unsafe firearm storage (e.g., loaded and unlocked) increases the risk. 15,16 Furthermore, in some populations (e.g., service members), suicidal firearm owners are more likely to store firearms unsafely. 17,18 Thus far, it is unknown whether those who have and have not purchased a firearm during COVID-19 differ in terms of suicide risk.…”

Firearm Ownership and Capability for Suicide in Post‐Deployment National Guard Service Members

“…Although previous work has linked suicide risk to other aspects of practical capacity (e.g., safe vs. unsafe firearm storage; Anestis, Khazem, & Anestis, ), no work has investigated how self‐assessed competency or skill using firearms relates to suicide risk, specifically the capability for suicide. Additionally, no work has investigated if motivations for owning a firearm relate to the capability to enact lethal self‐harm, although previous work has shown that owning firearms primarily for self‐protection is common in the veteran population (Simonetti, Azrael, & Miller, ).…”

A Public Health Approach to Gun Violence, Legally Speaking

“…9 Given their lethality, firearms represent a particularly effective means of suicide, with the "completion rate" estimated between 80 and 95%. 10 Though firearm related research lags behind due to federal statutes imposing funding constraints, emerging data suggests gun violence has similarities with the spread of contagious disease. According to one study, "the greater the extent to which one's social network is saturated with gunshot victims, the higher one's probability of also being a victim."…”