Suicide and Firearms: A Responsible Conversation for Gun Owners

The Overlooked Truth Behind “Gun Death” Statistics

Every year in America, tens of thousands of lives are lost to firearms, but not in the way many politicians and media outlets suggest. When gun control advocates cite “gun deaths” to push restrictive legislation, what often goes unsaid is that the majority of those deaths aren’t homicides. They’re suicides.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in recent years, over half of all firearm-related deaths in the United States are suicides, not acts of violence committed against others. In fact, in 2021 alone, over 26,000 of the more than 48,000 total firearm deaths were suicides — more than 54% of all gun deaths that year [CDC WISQARS].

For teenagers, it’s even more stark. Many cited “leading causes of death” for youth involving firearms are, in truth, young people taking their own lives, not victims of school shootings or gang violence, as is often implied in emotional appeals.

Misusing Statistics Undermines Solutions

When the public is misled into thinking that gun violence is primarily homicide, especially among teens, we chase the wrong solutions. Emotional manipulation with incomplete data is not only dishonest — it actively prevents us from having real conversations about suicide, mental health, and prevention.

Gun owners — particularly those of us who value personal responsibility — should lead the way in having honest, nuanced conversations that acknowledge the role firearms can play in suicide, while also standing firm against bad policy.

Firearms and Suicide: What the Data Shows

According to data compiled by the CDC and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

• About 50% of all suicide deaths in the U.S. involve a firearm.

• Firearms are the most lethal method of suicide, with a fatality rate of over 85-90% per attempt.

• In contrast, poisoning/overdose has a fatality rate below 5%, and cutting is under 2%.

This means that access to a gun during a moment of crisis dramatically increases the likelihood that a suicide attempt will end in death.

This data isn't meant to vilify firearms, but to help all gun owners understand the responsibility that comes with firearm ownership and keeping firearms away from unauthorized users.

Responsible Gun Ownership Includes Suicide Prevention

Let’s be clear: we don’t endorse safe storage laws that mandate how Americans must store their firearms. But we do believe suicide prevention is a vital part of responsible gun ownership.

Research supports that reducing access to lethal means — even temporarily — can significantly lower suicide rates. That’s why how and where you store firearms when not in use matters, particularly if someone with access in the home is struggling with mental health challenges.

This doesn't mean locking up all guns all the time. It means using discretion and intention when storing firearms not actively in use or being carried for self-defense.

The Role of Firearm Instructors: Teach the Whole Picture

If you're a certified firearms instructor, especially for basic pistol or concealed carry classes, suicide prevention should be part of your curriculum. Students come to you for knowledge, safety, and responsibility. Teaching how to spot warning signs and how to handle firearms around at-risk individuals is part of that.

You don’t need a mental health degree. A few minutes of instruction, combined with a list of resources, can make a powerful impact.

Consider incorporating discussion around mental health and access to firearms, perhaps during your standard section on home storage or responsible carry. It's not just about skill — it's about stewardship.

Get Equipped: Trusted Resources for Gun Owners

If you’re a gun owner, instructor, or advocate, the following resources can help you be part of the solution:

• 🧰 Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Firearm Instructors (AFSP & NSSF): Includes training tips, warning signs, and how to talk about the topic during instruction.

• 🔗 Walk The Talk America: Offers mental health screenings, brochures, and printable materials tailored for the gun community.

• 🛠️ The Armory Project and Hold My Guns: Both organizations aim to connect at-risk individuals with local gun shops, ranges, and trusted FFLs who can temporarily and voluntarily store firearms during times of crisis — no government involvement required (where possible).
• 🛠️ The QPR Institute also offers certification-based training on Suicide Risk Detection, Assessment, and Management
• 🛠️ Sources of Strength is a community or school-based program mostly student/youth-led and based on data and results. It's something you might recommend to school administrators in your community.