Most firearms used in youth suicides belonged to parents and were stored unsafely

Most firearms used in youth suicides belonged to parents and were stored unsafely | Image Credit: © NewSaetiew - stock.adobe.com.

Most children and adolescents who die by firearm suicide use a gun owned by their parents, and in the majority of cases, the firearm was stored unlocked and loaded, according to research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2025 National Conference & Exhibition in Denver, Colorado.^1,2

The study, Who are the Firearm Owners in Youth Firearm Suicide?, analyzed firearm ownership and storage patterns in youth suicides between 2018 and 2021 across nine states. Researchers found striking differences by age group, with children aged 10 to 17 years far more likely to use a parent’s firearm, compared with young adults aged 18 to 24 years, who typically used their own firearm.

“As a pediatric emergency medicine physician, I see far too many youth who have attempted suicide in my practice,” said study author Sofia Chaudhary, MD, FAAP, assistant professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “I plan to use this information to counsel parents and youth about the importance of secure firearm storage as a means to prevent youth suicide.”

Study design

Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the CDC National Violent Death Reporting System. The analysis included firearm suicides among youth aged 10 to 24 years in nine states (Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Hawaii). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of firearm ownership by the decedent versus by a parent, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics.

Key findings

Among 1,021 youth firearm suicide decedents, most were White (82%), non-Hispanic (80%), male (89%), and between ages 20 and 24 years (63%). Overall, 69% of deaths occurred in a house or apartment. Firearm ownership information was available for most cases.

• Ownership: Across all cases, 43% of firearms were owned by the decedent and 21% by parents. Among 10- to 17-year-olds, 56% of firearms were owned by parents and just 4% by the decedent. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 53% of firearms were owned by the decedent and 11% by parents.
• Mental health: Among youth with documented mental health problems (n=307), 60% used their own firearm and 25% used a parent’s firearm.
• Storage: Of suicides with storage data available (n=462), 67% of firearms were stored unlocked, and 32% locked. Of those with information on load status (n=455), 78% were stored loaded and 22% unloaded. The most secure storage method—locked and unloaded—was documented in only 9% of cases.

The adjusted odds ratio of firearm ownership by a parent was nearly 11 times higher for 10- to 17-year-olds compared with 18- to 24-year-olds (aOR 10.99; 95% CI, 7.5–16.1).

Clinical and public health implications

“These findings speak to the importance of secure firearm storage among youth with mental health problems, a group known to be at elevated risk for suicide,” Chaudhary said.

The authors noted that suicide prevention strategies must address both firearms owned by youth themselves and those owned by caregivers. Given that most suicides occurred at home and involved unsecured firearms, counseling parents about safe storage may represent a critical point of intervention.

Firearms remain the most common and lethal means of suicide for youth in the United States. The study reinforces the role of pediatricians and emergency physicians in counseling families about the risks of unsecured firearms and the importance of secure storage—locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition.

Conclusion

The research highlights how firearm access in the home contributes to youth suicide. By emphasizing secure storage and preventive counseling, healthcare providers can play a vital role in reducing risks. As Chaudhary emphasized, understanding who owns the firearms involved in suicides and how they are stored provides essential guidance for prevention efforts.

References:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Research shows parent-owned guns most often used in youth suicide. Eurekalert. September 26, 2025. Accessed September 26, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098755
2. Chaudhary S. Who are the Firearm Owners in Youth Firearm Suicide? Abstract. Presented at: American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition. September 26-30, 2025. Denver, Colorado.