David M Studdert, Yifan Zhang, Sonja A Swanson, Lea Prince, Jonathan A Rodden, Erin E Holsinger, Matthew J Spittal, Garen J Wintemute, Matthew Miller
BACKGROUND: Research has consistently identified firearm availability as a risk factor for suicide. However, existing studies are relatively small in scale, estimates vary widely, and no study appears to have tracked risks from commencement of firearm ownership. METHODS: We identified handgun acquisitions and deaths in a cohort of 26.3 million male and female residents of California, 21 years old or older, who had not previously acquired handguns. Cohort members were followed for up to 12 years 2 months (from October 18, 2004, to December 31, 2016)...
June 4, 2020: New England Journal of Medicine