Limiting handgun sales to those 21 and over may help decrease suicides among adolescents

States that restrict the sales of handguns to those aged 21 and older may have lower suicide rates among adolescents, according to new research. Scientists looked at suicide data between 2001-2017, and found that each state that limited handgun sales to those 18 and older had an additional 344 suicides among 18-20-year-olds compared to states with a 21-and-over policy. In contrast, states that limited handguns to those 21 or older had around two fewer suicides per 100,000 adolescents in the 18-20 age group. Two states — Missouri and South Carolina — lowered the age limits for handgun purchases from 21 to 18 during the study period, and saw an increase in adolescent suicide rates. At the same time, Wyoming and West Virginia raised their age limits to 21 in 2010 and didn't see a significant change in their suicide rates.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (Español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.