The two most common arguments put forward by the anti-gun lobby against private firearms ownership centre on the misuse of guns in crime and their role in suicides. In both cases the movement has a tendency to overstate the connection and preclude debate. This involves highlighting material which favours the prohibitionist view and exaggerating the efficacy of particular anti-gun policies.
Suicide is a poignant issue.
The majority of people tend to form their opinions about it based on emotion rather than a considered review of the evidence. As part of the utilisation process anti-gun advocates often imply that severely restricting access to firearms will generate a significant decline in the suicide rate. The argument has superficial appeal. Obviously, if guns are unavailable then gun-related deaths will be rare. It does not follow, however, that the aggregate suicide rate will be greatly affected and there is considerable evidence, both national and international, to support this.