Gun suicides account for most firearm-related deaths in U.S.
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Gun suicides consistently outstrip gun homicides in the U.S., despite drawing less attention than other forms of gun violence.
Why it matters: Suicide rates have increased in the U.S. over the past few decades and become a leading cause of death among young and middle-aged Americans.
The big picture: Gun suicides have outpaced gun homicides for the past 25 years, according to the New York Times.
- Firearm suicides (27,032) made up more than half of all suicides (49,476) in the U.S. in 2022, per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Yet in a country shaped by gun violence, firearm suicides also outpaced the number of firearm homicides (19,651) in 2022, per the CDC.
Between the lines: While suicidal impulses can be brief, the easy availability of guns can make them harder to survive, per the Times.
Zoom in: While 2023 saw a slight decrease in gun violence deaths and injuries compared to 2022, there were also more mass shootings.
- The U.S. also hit a record number of suicides in 2022, underscoring the country's mental health crisis.
- Firearm deaths among children hit a record high in 2021.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with someone at 988lifeline.org. En español.
