Five state gun laws may be tied to lower suicide rates

County-level analysis finds firearm-related suicide rates 29% lower in states with all five identified laws.

By
Andrea Surnit
August 26, 2026
3 min

MDSpire News

Overview

An analysis of firearm laws across 637 US counties from 2000 to 2023 found that five specific state firearm laws were associated with lower firearm-related suicide rates.

Background

Firearm-related suicides represent a significant public health concern in the United States. This analysis provides insights into how legislative measures may influence suicide outcomes at the county level.

Data Highlights

Law	Reduction in Firearm-Related Suicide Rates
Violent misdemeanor prohibitions	14%
Minimum age of 21 for handgun purchases	9%
Extreme risk protection orders	9%
Child access protection laws	8%
Handgun purchase permit requirements	7%

Key Findings

Five state firearm laws were associated with lower firearm-related suicide rates.
Firearm-related suicide rates were 14% lower with violent misdemeanor prohibitions.
Rates were 9% lower with laws requiring a minimum age of 21 for handgun purchases and extreme risk protection orders.
Child access protection laws were associated with an 8% reduction in firearm-related suicide rates.
Counties with all five laws had a 29% lower rate compared to those with none.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that implementing specific firearm laws may contribute to reducing firearm-related suicide rates. Policymakers and public health officials should consider these associations when developing strategies for suicide prevention.