104: Does Buying a Gun During Lockdown Increase Your Risk of Suicide?

In 2020 so far, nearly 2.5 million Americans bought a firearm for the first time. Meanwhile, as COVID-19 continues--as does physical isolation, unemployment, concerns about domestic violence, and more--many have worried that suicide rates may increase as well. So, does buying a gun during COVID increase your risk of suicide? Well, new research does show that those who bought firearms during the pandemic are more likely to deal with suicidal ideation than pre-existing gun owners. To break this down, hosts Kelly and JJ are speaking with Dr. Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health.

Mentioned in this podcast:

• Guns and Suicide: an American Epidemic (Oxford University Press)
• Suicidal Ideation Among Individuals Who Have Purchased Firearms During COVID-19 (American Journal of Preventive Medicine)
• Associations Among Exaggerated Threat Perceptions, Suicidal Thoughts, and Suicidal Behaviors in US Firearm Owners (Journal of Psychiatric Research)
• We Need to Talk about Guns and Suicide (the Philadelphia Inquirer)