Most Minnesota gun deaths are suicides, study finds

Star Tribune ^ | June 5, 2004 | Richard Meryhew

[Gun142]

A few facts

[kittymyrib]

Hmmmm...it seems like the MN churches who are on their anti-gun crusade ought to be sticking to their real job of bringing the Gospel of Christ to hurting souls. That would be far more beneficial in reducing gun-related deaths, since only 300 of 1200 deaths were not self-inflicted . But you don't get your name in the paper for preventing a suicide by giving a person hope, do you.

[samtheman]

It's all Bush's fault.

[DreadCthulhu]

Interesting article. Of course, gun ownership doesn't really effect suicide rates, just the method chosen Look at Japan - very high suicide rates, yet very few privatly owned guns.

[no more apples]

"We knew how many people were dying from firearms, but we didn't know how many were injured from firearms," he said. "Now, we know."

Sounds a bit odd...kinda like the firearms were doing this on their own.

But still, an interesting post.

[gargoyle]

...Yea, if your gonna snuff it, call a gun, not a doctor, to assist...

...Sad, any way you look at it...

[Tax-chick]

the MN churches who are on their anti-gun crusade ought to be sticking to their real job of bringing the Gospel of Christ to hurting souls

Very well said!

[TC Rider]

As if a suicidal soul would give up on the idea if they couldn't find a gun. If guns were banned, sales of rope would go up.

What I find odd is that most libs support assisted suicide, they would support Kevorkian pumping them full of poison, but abhor the entrepreneurial spirits that take the DIY route.

In the end, it's all about disarming the population.

[Steely Tom]

Most Minnesota gun deaths are suicides, study finds.

Hmmm.

If Minnesota is typical, then most gun deaths in general are suicides.

Maybe this is the reason that anti-second-amendment people say "statistics show that the most likely victim of a gun is the owner of the gun."

If so, it would be typical Clinton-speak as used by liberals.

(steely)

[G.Mason]

"What I find odd is that most libs support assisted suicide, they would support Kevorkian pumping them full of poison, but abhor the entrepreneurial spirits that take the DIY route."

Not odd at all.

You see the "libs" don't like the brain, and bone fragments all over the perfectly good furnishings.

Also there's that part about using an automatic pistol, and having more than one round in the clip.

Seems the "libs" take the weapon out of the deceased hand and shoot themselves. ;)

[Clintons Are White Trash]

Absolutely amazing statistics. Maybe Minnesota needs to work on making itself into a happier place to live instead of trying to control peoples rights.

I never would have guessed the ratio was that high.

[flyinghorse]

Synopsis of article: highest rates for suicide are among urban blacks of low income. Assessing that group's quality of life would be more beneficial in preventing their suicidal inclinations than simply blaming the gun. Look at the music young people listen to, rap is all about negativity and relying on the gun for problem resolution; inner cities are human landfills, hopeless wastelands.
"S.A.V.E. encourages loved ones of someone who may be suicidal 'to get the guns out of the house'". Shouldn't they instead get the suicidal person out of the house when they know suicidal persons often commit homicide, too?
Looks like the anti-gunners are saying guns talk to people so, I'm gonna have to have a sit down with my guns and let them know who's boss around here. Naughty things, better not give me any lip!

[KeyWest]

Prosecute all who commit suicide to the fullest extent of the law.

[jdogbearhunter]

How right you are. A teenager down my block hung himself a couple months back.

There is talk of banning the sale of rope to the general publick /sarcasm

[Atlas Sneezed]

On the one hand, ... firearms are not a leading cause of fatalities in our state. The numbers are not huge. "But on the flip side," Roesler continued, "if your son or daughter is killed by a firearm, it's a big deal."

---

On the other hand, if your child is fatally mauled by an escaped Siberian tiger, it's a big deal.

[Fireone]

" Most firearms injuries in rural Minnesota were self-inflicted; most in the metro area were the result of assaults or homicides"

Fails to mention that these numbers include criminals who are shot by police in the commission of, or fleeing from a crime.

[Fireone]

"Firearms injury rates were higher for blacks, American Indians and Asians than they were for whites."

And we know that gang members shooting each other should be divided equally amongst all races, right?