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      Firearm suicide claims the lives of nearly 26,000 people in America every year, an average of 71 people per day, and the problem is getting worse. Over the past decade, the United States’ firearm suicide rate has increased by more than 20 percent. This trend is of particular concern among young Americans—firearm suicide rates increased over 40 percent for people ages 10 to 24, more than most other age groups. Additionally, veterans are more likely to die by firearm suicide than non-veterans. On average, three in four suicides among veterans are by firearm, compared to about half among non-veterans.

      But there is hope. These tragedies can be prevented, and one of the most effective life-saving interventions for someone in crisis is disrupting their access to a gun. In the eight states with the strongest gun safety laws, firearm suicide rates decreased by four percent from 1999 to 2022. The 14 states with the weakest laws saw a 39 percent increase in firearm suicides over this period.

      12x

      The U.S. firearm suicide rate is nearly 12 times higher than that of other high-income countries.

      Everytown analysis of gun deaths by country (2015 to 2019), GunPolicy.org (accessed January 7, 2022).

      3,400

      More than 3,400 young people die by firearm suicide each year.

      Everytown Research analysis of CDC, WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death, Five-Year Average: 2019–2023. Ages 10–24.

      87%

      Men represent 87% of firearm suicide victims.

      Everytown Research analysis of CDC, WONDER, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death, 2019–2023.

      September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time for amplifying the voices of survivors of suicide loss, spreading hope, and ensuring that individuals and families have access to resources to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

      Help Is Available: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Other Resources

      If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org/chat to chat with a counselor from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress anywhere in the US.

      Additionally, the Trevor Project also offers 24/7, free, and confidential support for LGBTQ youth. Trained counselors with The Trevor Project understand the challenges LGBTQ young people face. To reach The Trevor Project’s crisis support, call or text 866-488-7386, or use their chat service by visiting thetrevorproject.org/get-help. You can also text START to 678-678 to connect with their 24/7 text line.

      Click here for a list of other resources for survivors of suicide loss.

      Understanding the issues around firearm suicide is an important way to take part in prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation.

      Defining the Problem

      Preventing firearm suicide requires strategies involving individuals, families, and communities.

      Addressing Solutions

      Amplify Survivor Voices

      You can commit to elevating the voices of survivors from your own network or from Moments That Survive during September for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. You can also share your own story.

      Karen’s Story

      Nothing in my life prepared me for losing my mama in that violent manner. She was my best friend. She was beautiful inside and out, had a great sense of humor, had a lovely singing voice, and was the best cook ever.

      Read Karen’s Story
      Mia’s Story

      Junior valued our family. I was the youngest and he loved to SMOTHER me with torturous cheek-pinching and called me his Piscean twin. Junior was also a romantic.

      Read Mia’s Story
      Celeste’s Story

      Sometimes if I close my eyes and squeeze them tightly, I can smell my dad’s cologne and feel his face pressed against mine as he gave me one of his famous bear hugs. I miss him every day. So many things remind me of my dad, especially when I listen to The Beatles – our favorite band of all time.

      Read Celeste’s Story
      Adriana’s Story

      Luc and I were siblings. We grew up in a family of four kids in a single-parent household. We were both lifelong competitive swimmers and aspiring triathletes. We shared an innate and powerful drive to succeed in sports, in school and in our communities.

      Read Adriana’s Story

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      1 in 4: 1 in 4 adults know or care about someone who attempted or died by gun suicide. Source: EverytownResearch.org/Firearm-Suicide
      Temporarily removing access to firearms is a crucial and effective intervention to reduce risk of death by suicide. Source: EverytownResearch.org/Firearm-Suicide
      Each year, over 3,400 young people die by firearm suicide. These tragedies can be prevented. Source: EverytownResearch.org/YouthSuicideReport
      Up 40%: The rate of firearm suicide among young people has increased more than 40 percent from 2014 to 2023. Source: EverytownResearch.org/YouthSuicideReport
      12x: The US gun suicide rate is nearly 12x that of other high-income countries. Source: EverytownResearch.org/Firearm-Suicide
      Suicide accounts for nearly 6 out of every 10 gun deaths in the US. Source: EverytownResearch.org/Firearm-Suicide
      Young people have the fastest-growing firearm suicide rates of any age group over the last decade. Graphic shows a graph of suicide rates by age group and the percent change in the firearm suicide rate within that age group from 2013 to 2022. 10-24: 44%; 25-34: 37%; 35-44: 18%; 45-54: 2%; 55064: 8%; 65+: 11%. Source: EverytownResearch.org/YouthSuicideReport
      Cities in states with the strongest gun violence prevention laws have about half the rate of people who die by firearm suicide as those in states with the weakest laws. Source: EverytownResearch.org/Gun-Suicide-In-Cities
      Up 11%: Firearm suicide deaths in cities increased 11% over the past decade, and now make up an average of over 4 in 10 city gun deaths. Source: EverytownResearch.org/Gun-Suicide-In-Cities
      4 in 5: Four in five child firearm suicides involve a family member's gun. Source: EverytownResearch.org, Catherine Barber et al.,
      3x: Access to a gun triples the risk of death by suicide. Source: EverytownResearch.org/Firearm-Suicide
      An average of 4,600 veterans die by firearm suicide every year—nearly 13 deaths a day. Source: EverytownResearch.org/VeteranSuicideReport
      Up 58%: The veteran firearm suicide rate increased 58 percent over the past 20 years. Source: EverytownResearch.org/VeteranSuicideReport
      If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 connection to free, confidential support anywhere in the US. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
      Si usted o alguien que conoce está en crisis, la línea de vida 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline brinda conexión las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana para obtener asistencia gratuita y confidencial en cualquier lugar de los EE. UU. Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 988 o chatee en 988lifeline.org

      Did you know?

      Every day, 125 people in the United States are killed with guns, twice as many are shot and wounded, and countless others are impacted by acts of gun violence.

      Everytown Research analysis of CDC, WONDER, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death, 2019–2023; Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project nonfatal firearm injury data, 2020; and SurveyUSA, Market Research Study #26602, 2022.

      Last updated: 11.8.2024