Overview

• Suicides by firearm have reached an all-time high, increasing 11% between 2019 and 2022, with an estimated 27,024 Americans dying of suicide by firearm in 2022.
• All race/ethnicity groups saw firearm suicide rates increase from 2019 to 2022, with American Indian and Alaska Native people experiencing the highest rate increase, at 66%.
• The highest firearm suicide rates in 2022 were observed among white people, followed by American Indian and Alaska Native people.
• Experts suggest the pandemic may have exacerbated known risk factors for depression and suicide such as social isolation and relationship stressors, as well as substance abuse.
• Researchers suggest promoting secure firearm storage, as well as providing counseling and social services, as ways to potentially help reduce firearm suicides.