Suicide risk among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adult firearm owners in the United States

• In Event: Revitalizing the Sociology of Suicide

Abstract

High rates of suicide risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people are well documented, yet little is known about suicide risk among LGBTQ+ firearm owners. Research shows that people who own firearms are more likely to die by suicide by their own firearm. Researchers who study firearm ownership and suicide risk argue against viewing owners as a monolith and promote evaluating subgroups of owners. In 2017, it was estimated that around 18% of LGBTQ+ adults, as compared to 35% of U.S. adults, report having a firearm in their household a documented risk-factor for suicide. It is reasonable to assume this rate has risen. The U.S. has seen increases in gun purchasing, particularly among first-time gun owners, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, social and political attacks on the transgender community have since escalated, leading to increased suicidality, victimization, violence and discrimination, and is at an all-time high for LGBTQ+ people under the Trump Vance Administration. Although LGBTQ+ people tend to have lower firearm ownership rates than non-LGBTQ+ people, their risk of suicide is higher, possibly obscuring LGBTQ+ firearm owners as a high-risk population. This study examines the association between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) identity and suicide risk within a probability sample of U.S. firearm owners. Research and prevention methods surrounding LGBTQ+ gun owners may be hindered due to the social and political complexity of being part of the LGBTQ+ community and participating in firearm ownership. Therefore, we consider the sociohistorical and contemporary sociopolitical factors that contribute to suicide rates among this particular subgroup. We also briefly explore failures and successes in present prevention methods within public health approaches, using a sociological analysis.

Authors

• Merrily LeBlanc, Northeastern University

• Amelia Wagner

• Suzanne Garverich

• Alisa K. Lincoln, Northeastern University