Firearm Policy and Youth Suicide—In Pursuit of Mechanistic Explanations

Ali Rowhani-Rahbar,Alice M Ellyson,Miriam J Haviland

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.24920

Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, Alice M Ellyson + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.24920

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Abstract

Firearm Policy and Youth Suicide—In Pursuit of Mechanistic Explanations

Highlights

These findings highlight the importance of considering the mechanisms by which firearm policies are intended to exert an effect on firearm injury and violence
In the presence of PTP laws, it is conceivable that the additional time required to obtain a firearm could restrict access to firearms during times of suicidal crisis among young adults who do not already own a firearm
Prior studies examining the repeal of the PTP law in Missouri have found it associated with increases in firearm suicide rates, including an investigation[6] with a longer follow-up time that reported a 23.5% increase during the decade after that policy change

Summary

Introduction

These findings highlight the importance of considering the mechanisms by which firearm policies are intended to exert an effect on firearm injury and violence. In the presence of PTP laws, it is conceivable that the additional time required to obtain a firearm could restrict access to firearms during times of suicidal crisis among young adults who do not already own a firearm.

Results

Conclusion