Firearm Suicides Reach Record Levels (Image Credits: Kff.org)
National suicide figures showed a modest decline to 48,824 deaths in 2024, down from a record high of 49,476 in 2022, though the proportion involving firearms climbed to a peak.[1][2]
Firearm Suicides Reach Record Levels
Firearm suicides struck a new high in 2024, surpassing levels from a decade prior by about 6,000 deaths. These cases made up 57 percent of all suicides that year, compared to 50 percent in 2014.[1] Meanwhile, deaths by other methods fell over the same period. The age-adjusted national suicide rate stood at 13.7 per 100,000 people.[1]
Total suicides from 2014 through 2024 reached 516,790. Experts noted that some shifts might stem from underreporting, as certain overdoses could mask suicides. Greater firearm access, heightened by a pandemic-era surge in ownership, likely played a role in the method’s dominance, given guns’ high lethality.[1]
Demographic Patterns Show Highest Risks Among Specific Groups
American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals faced the steepest rate at 22.5 per 100,000 in 2024, closely followed by males at 22.3 per 100,000.[1] White people recorded 17.2 per 100,000, accounting for 36,560 deaths, while females saw 5.6 per 100,000 and adolescents the lowest at 5.7 per 100,000.
Over the decade, rates rose sharply for some demographics. Black rates increased 53 percent, from 5.7 to 8.7 per 100,000. Hispanic rates grew 27 percent to 8.0 per 100,000, and young adults aged 18-25 saw a 17 percent jump to 15.7 per 100,000. Adults aged 26-44 experienced a 13 percent rise to 18.0 per 100,000, while female rates declined modestly and middle-aged adults held steady or dipped.[1]
States Exhibit Wide Variation in Rates
Suicide death rates differed dramatically across states in 2024, ranging from 5.7 per 100,000 in Washington, D.C., to 29.7 in Alaska. The median stood at 15.4 per 100,000, with Western states often posting higher figures and Northeast areas lower ones.[1]
Twenty-two states, about four in ten, saw stable or declining rates over the decade. Washington, D.C., posted the largest drop at 27 percent, from 7.8 to 5.7 per 100,000. Vermont fell 21 percent to 14.7, and New Jersey declined 19 percent to 6.7 per 100,000. In contrast, ten states recorded 15 percent or greater increases, led by Wyoming at 35 percent to 27.8 per 100,000, Alaska at 34 percent, and Iowa at 33 percent to 17.1 per 100,000.[1]
| Top 5 Highest Rates (2024) | Rate per 100,000 | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 29.7 | 222 |
| Montana | 27.8 | 169 |
| Wyoming | 26.8 | 32 |
| New Mexico | 21.5 | 1,701 |
| North Dakota | 21.0 | 85 |
Lowest rates included Mississippi at 6.7 per 100,000 with 682 deaths and Vermont at 8.9 with 105 deaths.[3][1]
- Higher rates often aligned with greater firearm availability and rural demographics.
- Declines correlated with improved crisis services and policy measures.
- AIAN populations contributed to elevated rates in certain Western states.
Key Takeaways:
- Total U.S. suicides fell slightly post-2022 peak, but firearms rose to 57 percent of cases.
- AIAN and male rates topped 22 per 100,000; Black rates surged 53 percent over decade.
- State gaps widened, from D.C.’s 5.7 to Alaska’s 29.7 per 100,000.
These patterns underscore the need for targeted prevention, including expanded mental health access and firearm safety measures. Factors like the 988 Lifeline’s rollout since 2022 may aid declines, yet demographic shifts demand focused responses. What steps should communities take next? Share your thoughts in the comments.
