Study Finds Parent-Owned Firearms Predominantly Used in Youth Suicide Cases

Recent research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition highlights that most children and adolescents between ages 10 and 17 who die by firearm suicide have used a gun owned by their parent. Alarmingly, these firearms are often stored unlocked, increasing the risk of access by youth. The study analyzed data from the CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System across nine states from 2018 to 2021, focusing on 1,021 suicides among individuals aged 10 to 24.

Sofia Chaudhary, MD, FAAP, who led the research, shared preliminary findings revealing that in cases of youth suicide, guns used are ten times more likely to be owned by a parent compared to young adult suicides (ages 20–24). Specifically, among 18-24-year-olds, 69% owned the firearm involved, and 14% used a parent-owned gun. The majority of these suicides occurred at home or in an apartment.

The study also found that 67% of firearms involved in these suicides were stored unlocked, and 78% were stored loaded—only 9% were secured by being both locked and unloaded. For youths aged 10–17, 60% of firearms were stored unlocked, and 70% were loaded. These figures rose to 69% and 81%, respectively, among 18–24-year-olds. Notably, a significant portion of youth with mental health issues used their own firearms in suicide attempts.

Dr. Chaudhary emphasized the critical need for secure firearm storage, especially for youth with mental health challenges, to prevent access and reduce suicide risks. As a pediatric emergency physician and researcher at Emory University School of Medicine, she advocates for counseling parents and youths about safe firearm storage practices.

This research underscores the importance of responsible firearm ownership and storage to protect vulnerable youth populations from preventable tragedies.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-parent-guns-youth-suicide.html