Posted on 08/27/2002 8:09:25 AM PDT by Pharmboy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Suicide rates tend to be higher in US regions where a higher percentage of households have guns, researchers report.
More people kill themselves using guns than by all other suicide methods combined, according to Dr. Matthew Miller and his colleagues at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts.
While this study does not show that owning a gun increases the likelihood that household members will try to kill themselves, the authors note, the findings do suggest that a relationship between the two factors exists.
"Although our study is unable to determine causation, our results are consistent with the notion that instrumentality as well as intent affects the rate of suicide," they write.
Each year, an estimated 30,000 people commit suicide in the US--nearly twice the annual number of murders. More than half of suicides involve firearms, according to Miller's team.
The results of their study are based on data gathered between 1988 and 1997 from all 50 states in the US. The data included how many homes have guns, and the rate of suicides using guns or other methods among men and women of different age groups.
Reporting in the September issue of the journal Epidemiology, Miller and his colleagues found that in all 50 states and nine US regions, suicide rates were highest where a higher percentage of households owned guns. Specifically, residents of the six states with the highest rate of gun ownership were almost four times as likely to kill themselves using a gun as residents of the four states with the lowest rate of household gun ownership.
This relationship existed regardless of the gender and age of the people who committed suicide.
In an interview with Reuters Health, Miller summarized the findings in one point: "Where there are more guns, more people are taking their own lives."
Miller added that owning a gun may, in fact, increase the rate of successful suicide attempts because guns are far more lethal than most other suicide methods. He explained that many attempts at suicide are impulsive, in which people consider the act for only minutes before trying to carry it out. While members of households without guns may attempt suicide as often as gun owners, the latter may be more successful in carrying it out.
"The accumulating weight of evidence indicates that some people are likely put at greater risk of suicide because a gun is around," Miller said.
He noted that one of the highest rates of suicide using firearms occurred among children between 5 and 14 years old. In order to protect children and others at risk, the researcher said that general suicide-prevention strategies should be coupled with specific interventions related to firearms.
For example, Miller suggested that guns be designed to permit only the authorized owner to fire them. Health professionals can also step in, he added, educating patients about the risk of suicide associated with keeping a gun around the house, especially one that is loaded or unlocked.
SOURCE: Epidemiology 2002;13:517-524.
Take it from one who knows, suicide attempts are not caused by guns. They just allow you to make it more certain, and more private.
Which brings up the real question, doesn't it? Are there more suicide attempts in these areas, too? Or just more successful suicides?
"Where there are more guns, more people are taking their own lives... under control."
Another good argument for gun ownership. Thin the herd.
Oh? You mean people didn't kill themselves before there were guns?
This is NUTS. They don't say "more likely to kill themselves", they say "more likely to kill themselves with a gun."
DUH!!!
Where there are guns, people are more likely to use them than where there aren't guns.
This is actual scientific research!!!!
Where there are more gun laws, more people are taking other people's lives.
"Although our study is unable to determine causation,...
Global Warming is pushing them over the edge.
While trailer parks can't be shown to cause tornados... the findings do suggest that a relationship between the two factors exists.
I personally do not think it is possible for a 5 year old to committ suicide. Suicide requires more mental capacity than a five year old is capable of. It is possible however for a five year old to discharge a firearms. If the bullet kills the five year old it is not suicide, it is a NEGLIGENT discharge.
I tend to discount articles containing factual errors. If the author of the study allows factual errors to be present then the rest of their study remains suspect.
Semper Fi
That is the first thing I thought of when I read this. I love that quote.
our study is unable to determine causation
our results are consistent with the notion
While members of households without guns may attempt suicide as often as gun owners
accumulating weight of evidence indicates that some people are likely put at greater risk
Miller suggested that guns be designed to permit only the authorized owner to fire them.( and this will prevent them from committing suicide, How?)
Baaaah! Might as well have been written by Sarah Brady herself.
What history teaches CLEARLY is that where the people DO NOT have ARMS (and today, that means GUNS -- GOOD ONES WITH HIGH RATES OF FIRE!), there has been mass GENOCIDE and STATE SPONSORED MURDERS!
For those who are frightened of an armed populace, there IS an option. It is
Concerned about the easy availability of guns in our society?
Alarmed about the "gun nuts" and other freedom wackos the government allows to run loose?
Wish the government would just repeal the Second Amendment and confiscate all the guns because you believe sensible people shouldn't suffer because of some idiotic notion about some antiquated “right?”
While we can't take the guns away from the people, we CAN take the people (or at least SOME of them) away from their guns.
At CAMP GUNFREE, we have created an atmosphere of near-total tranquility where you and your family will experience the benefits of a GUN FREE environment.
Each of our camps is a gated community designed to keep guns away from camp guests. Firmly enforced security measures ensure that these dangerous and destructive devices are kept outside. Each camp boasts 24 hour, 7 day a week sentries and state-of-the-art enclosure systems, guard dogs, trenches and surveillance equipment to absolutely GUARANTEE that no firearms enter the facility. Rigidly controlled access ensures that no guns can ever be smuggled in.
No cost has been spared to ensure that Camp GunFree remains gun free.
All camp members are given distinctive uniforms to distinguish them from any gun-toting barbarians who might attempt to evade our security measures. Each camp member is also assigned a distinctive ID number to ensure that only the right people are allowed within the camp.
The current headlines prompt us to remind you that there has NEVER been a shooting by a student in any of the camp schools and we can GUARANTEE that there never will be!!
For more information, call 1-800-GUNFREE
OR visit our new website at
http://www.privategunsareabadthingandwe'llseethatyouare”safe”.batf.gov
(This idea from a pamphlet originally created by The Minnesota Center for Individual Liberty, PO Box 32170, Minneapolis, MN 55432-0170)
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