The impact of gun violence restraining order laws in the U.S. and firearm suicide among older adults: a longitudinal state-level analysis, 2012–2016
Altaf Saadi, Kristen R. Choi, Sae Takada & Fred J. Zimmerman
BMC Public Health volume 20, Article number: 334 (2020)

Older adults complete suicide at a disproportionately higher rate compared to the general population, with firearms the most common means of suicide

Access to firearms poses potential public health dangers for older adults with regards to attempted or completed suicides, particularly as older adults complete suicide at a disproportionately higher rate compared to the general population

Suicide has been shown to be often an impulsive act and suicide rates are higher where circumstances make suicide more easily visible and attainable. Readily available firearms are one way in which the means of suicide is both more visible and more attainable

In fact, both regional and state-level analyses of household firearm ownership has been shown to be associated with increased suicides, including among older adults.

Firearm suicide is of particular concern among older adults who may be experiencing cognitive decline and dementia that might predispose patients to depression, confusion, agitation, aggression, or paranoia.

In one literature review of suicidal behavior in people with dementia, suicidal behavior was deemed more common earlier in the dementia course when there remains awareness and insight into impending cognitive decline

Efforts to reduce the risk of impulsive suicides by firearms have included household- and policy-level strategies such as safe gun storage and legislation that restricts firearm access.

Policies restricting firearm ownership have been associated with a decline in firearm suicide rates in many countries including the United States

GVRO laws—also called extreme risk protection orders or more generically “red flag” laws—allow law enforcement and/or families to petition a judge for removal of firearms from someone who may be a danger to themselves or others (e.g. revealing “red flags”)

This study supports the hypothesis that states with a higher number of firearm-related laws had lower percentages of firearm-related suicides among older adults compared with states with fewer firearm laws,

The protective association in firearm-related suicide was stronger when focusing on gun violence restraining orders (GVRO) laws that allow for seizure of weapons from people who exhibit dangerous behavior,

revealing a 2.4% reduction in firearm-related suicides among older adults in states with GVRO laws compared to states without these laws.

Although our study does not differentiate between the impact on those with and without dementias—those with dementias being at higher risk of suicide due to symptoms of depression, impulsiveness, aggressiveness—the findings support a protective association of GVRO laws

@BillBlair @Safety_Canada @PattyHajdu