Gun-related suicides in the United States have surged to record levels for the third consecutive year, with approximately 27,300 cases reported in 2023—accounting for 58% of all gun deaths, according to research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Disturbingly, this statistic translates to one American using a gun for suicide every 19 minutes, signaling a growing crisis amid a decline in firearm homicides.
Notably, the suicide rates are significantly higher in rural areas and among certain demographics, with Wyoming posting the highest gun suicide rate—ten times that of Massachusetts, which recorded the lowest. Experts highlight the increased vulnerability of youth, particularly among Black and Hispanic populations, where gun suicide rates have seen alarming increases over the past decade. This report underscores the urgent need for policy reforms to limit access to firearms for those at risk and invest in preventative strategies to curb this tragic trend.
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