Gun control and suicide: The impact of state firearm regulations, 1995–2004

Katherine Hempstead () and Antonio Rodríguez ()
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Katherine Hempstead: The Center for State Health Policy Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Antonio Rodríguez: School of Public Health, Department of Health Services Research, University of Aarhus
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Antonio Rodriguez Andres

No 17/2009, Development Research Working Paper Series from Institute for Advanced Development Studies

Abstract: Suicide is a major cause of preventable death. Restricting access to lethal means has been identified as an effective approach to suicide prevention, and firearms regulations are one way to reduce gun availability. This study examines the relationship between state firearms regulations and suicide among males, using negative binomial regression and state panel data for the years 1995–2004. Results suggest that firearms regulations which function to reduce overall gun availability have a significant deterrent effect on suicide, while prohibited persons categories have less of an effect. Overall, the results suggest that gun control measures such as permit and licensing requirements might have public health benefits.

Keywords: suicide; guns; state regulations; panel data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 20 pages
Date: 2009-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-reg
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:adv:wpaper:200917

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