 |
           |
  |
|
Go to Kids and Gun Violence Factsheet
FACT: Suicide is still the leading cause of firearm death in the U.S., representing 55% of total 2005 gun deaths nationwide. In 2005, the U.S. firearm suicide total was 17,002, an increase of 1.5% from 2004 national gun suicide numbers. The state of Illinois saw a nearly 10% INCREASE in gun suicides in that same time, from 387 in 2004 to 424 in 2005. Most suicides in the U.S. are committed with firearms.
FACT: More than half of all suicides in the U.S. are committed with firearms. In 2004, 52% of all suicides in the U.S. were committed with guns. In Illinois, guns suicides made up 39% of the total suicides for 2004.
FACT: Access to lethal means, especially firearms, greatly
increases the likelihood that someone will commit suicide. A gun in the home is 11 times more likely to be used to attempt or commit a suicide than to be used in self-defense.
FACT:In 2004, a total of 846 young Americans ages 10-19 committed suicide with firearms, a decrease of 11% from the 2001 total of 928 youth gun suicides. Unlike suicide attempts using other methods, suicide attempts with guns are nearly always fatal, meaning a temporarily depressed teenager will never get a second chance at life. Nearly two-thirds of all completed teenage suicides involve a firearm.
FACT:On average, 68% of suicides for youth ages 15-24 are committed with guns.
FACT: Unlike suicide attempts using other methods, 92% of suicide attempts with guns are fatal.
FACT: The firearms used in 72% of unintentional firearm deaths and injuries and in firearm suicide attempts and completions for people ages 0-19 were stored in the residence of the victim, their relative, or their friend.
FACT: Homes with guns are 5 times more likely to experience
the suicide of a household member than homes without guns.
FACT: 48% of gun-owning households with children do NOT
regularly make sure that guns are equipped with child safety locks or other trigger locks.
Page last updated: February 28, 2005