Firearm suicides represent over half of overall gun deaths in the U.S. And that ratio can be worse in certain areas — states with higher rates of firearm ownership in the home have higher rates of suicide overall compared to states with lower firearm ownership rates, according to the Brady Center.
The risk of suicide is three times higher in a home with a firearm. Firearm suicide is by far the most lethal method someone can use to take their own life, with a mortality rate of about 90%.
The odds of surviving an attempt not involving a firearm are much higher. This is a key point because seven out of 10 suicide survivors who receive care post-attempt will live without attempting again, despite the widespread myth that someone who is suicidal cannot be helped. An effective suicide prevention method is the safe storage of firearms, which means keeping the gun unloaded, locked up and separate from its ammo.
Many suicide prevention organizations offer best practices for reporting on suicide. Here’s one from the National Crisis Line.