OBJECTIVE: In 2013, more than 40,000 individuals died from suicide in the United States. Restricting access to lethal means has the potential to prevent suicide, as suicidal thoughts are often transient. Permit-to-purchase (PTP) laws for handguns could potentially reduce suicides by making it more difficult for persons at risk of suicide to purchase a handgun. METHODS: We used a quasi-experimental research design with annual, state-level suicide data to evaluate changes to PTP laws in Connecticut and Missouri. Data were analyzed for 1981-2012. We used synthetic control modeling as the primary method to estimate policy effects. This methodology provided better prediction of pre-PTP-law-change trends in the two states with PTP law changes than econometric models and is thus likely to provide more accurate estimates of policy effects. RESULTS: The synthetic control model estimated a 15.4% reduction in firearm suicide rates associated with Connecticut's PTP law. Missouri's PTP law repeal was associated with a 16.1% increase in firearm suicide rates. Evidence that PTP laws were associated with non-firearm suicide rates was mixed in Connecticut and negative in Missouri. CONCLUSION: The findings are consistent with prior research linking firearm availability to increased risk of suicide and lower suicide risks associated with PTP handgun laws.
OBJECTIVE: In 2013, more than 40,000 individuals died from suicide in the United States. Restricting access to lethal means has the potential to prevent suicide, as suicidal thoughts are often transient. Permit-to-purchase (PTP) laws for handguns could potentially reduce suicides by making it more difficult for persons at risk of suicide to purchase a handgun. METHODS: We used a quasi-experimental research design with annual, state-level suicide data to evaluate changes to PTP laws in Connecticut and Missouri. Data were analyzed for 1981-2012. We used synthetic control modeling as the primary method to estimate policy effects. This methodology provided better prediction of pre-PTP-law-change trends in the two states with PTP law changes than econometric models and is thus likely to provide more accurate estimates of policy effects. RESULTS: The synthetic control model estimated a 15.4% reduction in firearm suicide rates associated with Connecticut's PTP law. Missouri's PTP law repeal was associated with a 16.1% increase in firearm suicide rates. Evidence that PTP laws were associated with non-firearm suicide rates was mixed in Connecticut and negative in Missouri. CONCLUSION: The findings are consistent with prior research linking firearm availability to increased risk of suicide and lower suicide risks associated with PTP handgun laws.
Authors: Colleen L Barry; Daniel W Webster; Elizabeth Stone; Cassandra K Crifasi; Jon S Vernick; Emma E McGinty Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2018-05-17 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Elizabeth A Stuart; Cassandra Crifasi; Alex McCourt; Jon S Vernick; Daniel Webster Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2017-08 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Cassandra K Crifasi; Elizabeth M Stone; Beth McGinty; Jon S Vernick; Colleen L Barry; Daniel W Webster Journal: Inj Prev Date: 2019-09-06 Impact factor: 2.399
Authors: Rocco Pallin; Bonnie Siry; Deborah Azrael; Christopher E Knoepke; Daniel D Matlock; Ashley Clement; Megan L Ranney; Garen J Wintemute; Marian E Betz Journal: Behav Sci Law Date: 2019-02-01