Firearm Access and Suicide-Reply

Abstract

In Reply. —Dr Blackman raises concerns about the size of the study as limiting the ability to draw firm conclusions. However, this study is a replication of a previously published comparison of 27 suicides and 56 suicidal adolescents. 1 The fact both studies yielded the same results strengthens the ability to draw the conclusion the availability of firearms is a risk factor for adolescent suicide. Blackman raises an interesting hypothesis, that household gun ownership is positively associated with mental health in teenagers. I am not sure if Blackman is suggesting there are salutary properties associated with firearm ownership, or whether those families with psychiatrically ill adolescents are less likely to have a gun available in the home. Both the suicide victims and suicide attempters were psychiatrically ill, but the rate of firearm ownership was higher in families of suicide victims, suggesting there is no relationship between