In a survey of high school students, those who reported carrying firearms were more likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year, even after accounting for race and state gun laws.
The study used survey responses from 23,232 high school students in 15 US states to examine how firearm carrying relates to suicide attempts. About 5.0% reported carrying a firearm, while 9.6% reported a suicide attempt in the past year.
Teen firearm carriers reported more suicide attempts than noncarriers. The researchers also found that stronger state firearm laws were associated with lower odds of suicide attempts, and they noted health equity concerns related to differences by race and ethnicity.
Higher odds of attempts
In the past 12 months, 27.4% of adolescents who reported carrying a firearm also reported a suicide attempt, compared with 9.4% of those who did not carry a firearm. After adjustment for race and ethnicity and state firearm law strength, firearm carrying was associated with higher odds of suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio, 3.48; 95% CI, 2.59-4.69; P<.001). The study also found that each 10-point increase in the strength of state firearm laws was associated with 6.7% lower odds of suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.99; P=.03). The survey did not capture what means were used in attempts.
