- For many people who experience acute suicidality, the period during which they may actually attempt suicide is often brief, and whether or not they have access to the lethal means of a firearm can be the determining factor between life or death.
- For every gun homicide death in Minnesota, there are two gun suicide deaths, but there’s been little investment into understanding why these deaths happen and how they can be prevented.
- Investing in linking data across state governmental agencies would help us better understand the best opportunities for preventative strategies. Utah has begun to study firearms and suicide and their research has helped pinpoint the best opportunities for prevention.
- Linking data from Minnesota’s Violent Death Reporting System to criminal background checks, concealed carry permit status, and hospital data would help us better understand the circumstances in which people attempt and die by suicide.
Background Checks and Permits for All Gun Sales
Comprehensive background checks would prevent prohibited buyers from purchasing a gun. This legislation would close the loophole that allows those who can’t legally purchase a gun from doing so anyway from a private dealer.
