Guns Raise Risk of Suicide Death. This National Suicide Prevention Month, Let’s Focus on Safety.
Firearm suicide is a preventable public health crisis
As Suicide Prevention Month comes to a close, we recognize the increasing problem of firearm suicide will not end as easily. Cori Sherman North — who co-leads the Salina group of the Kansas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense — knows this all too well, as her cousin’s son was lost to suicide earlier this year.
In this recent piece from the Oklahoma Voice, North frames her loss around a succinct expression of the stark realities of suicide and guns, and common sense approaches we can all work towards to lessen this tragedy.
“If all states had the same gun suicide trend as states with the strongest gun laws, 72,000 fewer lives would have been taken by gun suicide over the past two decades. Gun safety measures such as Extreme Risk laws, waiting periods after firearm purchases, and those that require or encourage the secure storage of firearms save lives.”
Check out the full article here.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24/7 free and confidential support. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.