Authors say findings highlight need to screen all teens for suicide risk and access to firearms
When probability of suicide attempt increases, gun owners may be less likely to endorse survey items about passive, active suicidal ideation
Largest increases seen among non-Hispanic Black males aged 10 to 44 years and in American Indian, Alaska Native males aged 25 to 44 years
Significant increases seen especially among rural, White, and higher-income adolescents
Of homicides occurring at home, sevenfold increased risk for being fatally shot by spouse, partner seen for cohabitants of gun owners
Increases in substance use disorders, psychiatric disorders, pain diagnoses, health care use and spending seen in survivors
However, compared with suicide by other means, those using a firearm were more likely to have spoken about their plans
Majority of premature firearm deaths seen in men, particularly suicides in older White men and homicides in younger Black men
Associations for depressive symptoms vary by race/ethnicity
Effort also seeks to turn back the significant rise in suicides by military personnel and veterans