3.3 ONE EXAMPLE STATE: THE IMPACT OF MISSOURI’S FIREARM LAW CHANGES ON RATES OF YOUTH SUICIDE BY FIREARMS

Abstract

Attendees will be able to: 1) describe a timeline of Missouri’s firearm laws; 2) discuss the impact of Missouri’s firearm law changes on adolescent and young adult suicide rates; and 3) understand the synthetic control method that is used to assess the impact of policies on public health outcomes. The presenter will: 1) describe the timeline of Missouri’s firearm laws from 1999 to 2018; 2) review the literature on impacts of Missouri’s permit-to-purchase (PTP) law and concealed carry law change on suicide rates; and 3) discuss results of her cross-sectional study assessing the impact of Missouri’s firearm law changes on adolescent and young adult suicide rates. In 2007, Missouri repealed its permit to purchase law, which removed an additional background check for prohibited persons to obtain firearms. Missouri lowered the legal age to obtain a concealed carry permit from 23 to 21 years in 2011 and further lowered the age to 19 years old in 2014. In 2017, Missouri enacted a law allowing gun owners to carry concealed firearms in most public places without a permit. Repeal of Missouri’s permit to purchase law was associated with a 21.8% increase in firearm suicide rates in young adults in Missouri. Lowering the minimum age of concealed carry to 19 years in Missouri was associated with a 32% increase in firearm suicide rates and a 29.7% increase in nonfirearm suicide rates in adolescents aged 14-18 years and a 7.2% increase in firearm suicide rates in young adults aged 19-24 years. Increases in rates of suicide by firearms in adolescents and young adults were seen following the repeal of Missouri’s PTP law and the lowering of the minimum age for concealed carry in 2014. Changes in Missouri’s firearm policies are likely an important contributor to rates of suicide by firearm in young Missouri residents. Missouri is one important example of how sequential weakening of firearm laws can impact statewide adolescent and young adult suicide rates.