Suicide

To Prevent Suicide, States Want to Let People Ban Themselves From Buying Guns

The Trajectory

To Prevent Suicide, States Want to Let People Ban Themselves From Buying Guns

Donna’s Law has proven one of the few areas of gun policy where Republicans and Democrats can agree. A Trace survey shows how many people have used it to temporarily suspend their own gun rights.

Agya K. Aning
In the Land of Firearm Suicide, Republicans Ban a Policy That Might Help

Gun Policy

In the Land of Firearm Suicide, Republicans Ban a Policy That Might Help

Wyoming has the highest rate of gun suicide in the country. Lawmakers there, and in similarly afflicted states, have blocked red flag laws, which studies have found to be a useful preventative measure.

Mike Spies
Gun Violence Affects Suicide Risk Among Black People, Study Finds

Community Violence

Gun Violence Affects Suicide Risk Among Black People, Study Finds

In the United States, people of color are the most vulnerable to gun violence, and they’re also the least likely to receive mental health care. The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center has explored the connections.

Fairriona Magee
The Gun Industry Has a Suicide Problem

The Industry

The Gun Industry Has a Suicide Problem

White men like Bob Owens are the firearms industry’s most essential customers. But they keep turning their weapons on themselves.

Mike Spies
Can Veteran-Led Training Make Suicide Prevention More Effective?

The Trajectory

Can Veteran-Led Training Make Suicide Prevention More Effective?

Firearm suicide is among the leading causes of death for veterans. A new program aims to teach mental health practitioners how veterans think about their guns.

Chip Brownlee
I’ve Told Hundreds of Stories About Gun Violence. It’s Time to Tell My Own.

The Gun Machine

I’ve Told Hundreds of Stories About Gun Violence. It’s Time to Tell My Own.

In February 2008, reporter Alain Stephens's father took his own life with a firearm. In the final episode of The Gun Machine, Stephens meets with others who lost loved ones to guns — and tries to make sense of the senseless.

Alain Stephens and Grace Tatter
Will Maine’s Permissive Gun Laws Change After the Lewiston Shooting?

Gun Policy

Will Maine’s Permissive Gun Laws Change After the Lewiston Shooting?

The state has high rates of gun ownership, yet mass shootings were virtually unheard of — until now.

Jennifer Mascia and Chip Brownlee
Research Indicates That Red Flag Laws Work — But Only If People Know About Them

Extreme Risk Protection Orders

Research Indicates That Red Flag Laws Work — But Only If People Know About Them

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act incentivized states to implement extreme risk protection orders, and provide information about them to the public. A new study focuses on what messages are likely to work best.

Fairriona Magee
Gun Violence Isn’t Just a City Problem

Community Violence

Gun Violence Isn’t Just a City Problem

Between 2011 and 2021, the overall firearm death rate in rural counties was nearly 40 percent higher than in urban counterparts.

Fairriona Magee
Where to Find Help If You’re Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts or Depression

Health Care

Where to Find Help If You’re Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts or Depression

These national and regional organizations can support you or someone you know in a crisis.

Gracie McKenzie
Youth Gun Suicide Is Rising, Particularly Among Children of Color

Health Care

Youth Gun Suicide Is Rising, Particularly Among Children of Color

An American teenager took their life with a firearm every seven hours on average between 2019 and 2020.

Jennifer Mascia and Olga Pierce
Officials Pledged to Address Rising Black Suicides in Chicago. Six Months On, There’s Still No Plan.

Chicago

Officials Pledged to Address Rising Black Suicides in Chicago. Six Months On, There’s Still No Plan.

Despite the historic increase, city and county leaders have failed to deliver their promised prevention plans.

Lakeidra Chavis
On the Frontlines of Gun Violence Prevention, Lessons Learned From a Harrowing Year

How We Fix This

On the Frontlines of Gun Violence Prevention, Lessons Learned From a Harrowing Year

2020's shooting surge was overwhelming and in many cities unprecedented. But for outreach workers and other experts, it also led to new ideas and approaches.

Ann Givens, J. Brian Charles, Lakeidra Chavis, and Jennifer Mascia
As Suicides Among Black Residents Continue to Climb, Chicago Officials Sound the Alarm

Chicago

As Suicides Among Black Residents Continue to Climb, Chicago Officials Sound the Alarm

One week into November, Cook County has nearly matched a ten-year high for annual suicides among Black residents.

Lakeidra Chavis
‘We Have No Choice But to Do Better’: Cook County Pledges to Address Increase in Black Suicides

Chicago

‘We Have No Choice But to Do Better’: Cook County Pledges to Address Increase in Black Suicides

Officials say it’s “all hands on deck” to quell the sudden increase in deaths.

Lakeidra Chavis

Gun violence journalism that informs and empowers.

Suicide

To Prevent Suicide, States Want to Let People Ban Themselves From Buying Guns

In the Land of Firearm Suicide, Republicans Ban a Policy That Might Help

Gun Violence Affects Suicide Risk Among Black People, Study Finds

The Gun Industry Has a Suicide Problem

Can Veteran-Led Training Make Suicide Prevention More Effective?

I’ve Told Hundreds of Stories About Gun Violence. It’s Time to Tell My Own.

Will Maine’s Permissive Gun Laws Change After the Lewiston Shooting?

Research Indicates That Red Flag Laws Work — But Only If People Know About Them

Gun Violence Isn’t Just a City Problem

Where to Find Help If You’re Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts or Depression

Youth Gun Suicide Is Rising, Particularly Among Children of Color

Officials Pledged to Address Rising Black Suicides in Chicago. Six Months On, There’s Still No Plan.

On the Frontlines of Gun Violence Prevention, Lessons Learned From a Harrowing Year

As Suicides Among Black Residents Continue to Climb, Chicago Officials Sound the Alarm

‘We Have No Choice But to Do Better’: Cook County Pledges to Address Increase in Black Suicides