But while the trends are positive, the hard data remain troubling. Every day ten young people die from bullet wounds. Guns are the second leading cause of injury-deaths in the country and the eighth leading cause of death overall. While most of the public debate about handguns focuses on homicides, the data demonstrate that more gun related deaths are a result of suicide. This significant component of the problem is plainly a medical and public health issue and clearly requires more attention not just because of the size of the problem but also because of its demographic breakdown.
Suicidal behavior is, obviously, complex and has multiple causes.
No single change in law or medical practice procedures will solve the problem. There are obviously ways to commit suicide with a device other than a firearm. By increasing public attention to the problem and increasing the medical community's focus on early warning signs of depression and other predisposing disorders and by adopting more rational gun safety policies we can reduce this tragic waste of human life. Similarly, homicide is also a multi-causal problem. Changes in law can save lives and can prevent injuries.