Suicide by firearm continues to threaten the lives of American citizens; as a result, there is a need for a national discussion on firearm legislation. In 2017, the CDC reported suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the United States; moreover, suicide by firearm accounted for half of all suicide completions (2017). This national crisis fosters investigation of whether or not increased gun regulations compared to minimal gun regulations affect suicide completion rates. States that have implemented increased regulations on firearms have enforced laws such as: mandatory waiting periods, universal background checks, gun lock requirements, limitations on open carry (Anestis, Anestis, & Butterworth, 2017). The purpose of this evidence based practice brief is to inform American citizens on the impact of firearm legislation on suicide completion rates. The results of this research may aid in the understanding of the types of legislation that are most effective when attempting to decrease suicide rates. Nurses in the United States can use this information to identify risks and provide education and awareness on suicide and firearm safety.
