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Carrying Firearms and Suicide Risk Among Adolescents
Michael A Lindsey1, Jasmin R Brooks Stephens2, Brittney D Singletary1
1Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, New York.
JAMA Network Open
|August 5, 2026
Summary
Adolescent firearm carrying is linked to a 3.48 times higher risk of suicide attempts. Stronger state firearm laws are associated with reduced suicide attempt odds, highlighting the need for prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Firearms are the most lethal method of suicide, with over 90% case fatality rates.
- Understanding adolescent firearm carrying and suicide risk is crucial for prevention.
- Disparities by race/ethnicity and state firearm laws require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between adolescent firearm carrying and suicide attempts.
- To examine if this association differs by race/ethnicity.
- To assess the impact of state firearm law stringency on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Secondary data analysis of the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from 15 US states.
- Cross-sectional study including 23,232 high school students.
- Self-reported data on firearm carrying, suicide attempts, race, and ethnicity were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Adolescent firearm carriers had a 3.48 times higher odds of suicide attempts (aOR=3.48, P<.001).
- Each 10-point increase in state firearm law strength was linked to a 6.7% decrease in suicide attempt odds (aOR=0.93, P=.03).
- Firearm carrying was associated with increased suicide attempt risk, irrespective of demographics or state laws.
Conclusions:
- Firearm carrying is independently associated with increased suicide attempt risk among adolescents.
- The high prevalence among Black adolescents carrying firearms highlights health equity concerns.
- Multilevel prevention strategies are needed to address firearm-related suicide attempts in adolescents.
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