Occupational access to firearms and firearm-related suicide among US workers.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between occupational access to firearms and firearm-related suicide, adjusting for worker demographics and rural residence. Methods: We conducted a mortality case-control study using National Violent Death Reporting System data (2013-2023). Occupational access was defined as employment in jobs involving firearm use. Firearm-related suicides were compared with non-firearm suicides using multivariable logistic regression, with sex-stratified models estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Workers with occupational firearm access had higher odds of firearm-related suicide (males: OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 2.1-2.4; females: OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 2.3-3.2). Conclusions: Reducing occupational firearm access may lower firearm-related suicides. Interventions such as lethal means counseling should be considered.