Tuesday, April 29, 2025
54.8 F
Roseville

Murders by Guns Continue Declining, Suicides On Rise

SourceUC Davis

Sacramento, Calif.- While the overall death rate from firearm violence has remained unchanged for more than a decade, the patterns for suicide and homicide have changed dramatically, a UC Davis study on the epidemiology of gun violence from 2003 to 2012 has found.

The study posted online in the Annual Review of Public Health on Dec. 12 and will appear in the print edition in January.
 
“Suicide by firearm is far more common than homicide,” said Garen J. Wintemute, professor of emergency medicine and director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis. “Over the past 30 years, firearm suicides have exceeded homicides even when homicide rates were at their highest in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

But, since 2006, the gap between the two has been widening, with firearm homicides decreasing and suicides increasing.”

In 2012, nearly two-thirds, or 64 percent, of deaths from firearm violence were suicides, compared to 57 percent of deaths in 2006. The growth in suicide is especially prominent among white males beginning in early adulthood, Wintemute said.
 
After analyzing the data for firearm homicides and suicides by age, gender and race/ethnicity, Wintemute found other emerging patterns. For example, homicides among black men and women rose steeply in adolescence and peaked in early adulthood before falling steadily thereafter. In contrast, suicide rates among white men increased in adolescence but continued to rise throughout the lifespan.
 
When assessing the number of deaths from firearm violence in 2012 for males by age and race/ethnicity, Wintemute found that 88.7 percent of all deaths among black males aged 15 to 44 were caused by homicide and that 89.2 percent of deaths among white males aged 35 to 64 were from suicide. When he corrected for population growth in both groups, he found that the rate of death among white males aged 35 to 64 had increased by 29.1 percent.
 
“Suicides among white males accounted for nearly half of the deaths from firearm violence during 2012, and suicide among white men is increasing,” Wintemute said. “The increase offsets any decline we might have seen in overall firearm-related mortality during the 21st century.” 

Firearm homicide: Young blacks at high risk

As previous public-health studies have shown, homicides are concentrated to a remarkable degree among black males through much of the lifespan, with rates rising at adolescence and peaking at ages 20 to 24.
 
“The overall death rate from firearm violence in young black males is very high, and there has been little net change since 1999,” Wintemute said.
 
Firearm homicides among black males aged 20 to 29 are five times higher than those among Hispanic males and at least 20 times higher than for white males. Homicide rates for black females are also higher than rates for Hispanics and whites.
 
In 2012, firearm homicides were the leading cause of death for black men ages 15 to 24. Among white men, Hispanic men, and black women in that age range, firearm violence ranked second after unintentional injuries.

Firearm suicide: White males and females at higher risk 

The data show that suicides are concentrated among whites, with the risk among white men steadily increasing throughout their lifespans and steeply rising from ages 70 to 74. By 85 and older, suicide for white males was 3.2 times that of Hispanic males and five times that of black males.
 
Suicide risk among white females, while occurring at a lower rate than white males, also shows steady increases from ages 10 to 14 through ages 45 and 49. The suicide rates for white females also were higher than for black or Hispanic females of all ages.
 
“Contrary to popular belief, mental illness by itself is not a leading contributor to interpersonal firearm violence,” Wintemute said. “But mental illness, chiefly depression, is an important contributor to risk for suicide.”

Risk factors for firearm violence 

According to the General Social Survey, more than 50 million people in the U.S. own firearms. Firearm ownership increases risk of firearm homicide or suicide at the population, household and individual levels, Wintemute said.

“Focusing on known risk factors and predictors for firearm violence can have a broad impact,” Wintemute said. “We know alcohol and controlled substance abuse are important predictors of future risk for violence directed at others or at oneself, whether or not mental illness is also present.”

Many studies have shown that a prior history of violence also strongly predicts future violence. Wintemute’s substantial body of work also has demonstrated effective interventions to reduce gun violence, such as prohibiting persons convicted of violence misdemeanor crimes such as assault and battery from purchasing firearms.

“With additional research, we can identify other interventions that can reduce firearm violence, which is responsible for more than 30,000 deaths each year,” Wintemute said.

The Violence Prevention Research Program is an organized research program of the University of California, Davis, that conducts leading-edge research to further America’s efforts to understand and prevent violence. Since its founding, the program has produced a uniquely rich and informative body of research on the causes, nature and prevention of violence, especially firearm violence. Current areas of emphasis include the prediction of criminal behavior, the effectiveness of waiting period and background-check programs for prospective purchasers of firearms, and the determinants of firearm violence.



Support local sports!

Wine, Food, & Fun!

May 9 & 10 in Rocklin!

Trending

The Untold Story of Antibiotics: What Everyone Should Know

Sacramento, Calif. - Americans fill 300 million antibiotic prescriptions every year—one for every man, woman, and child. Antibiotics have undoubtedly saved countless lives, including that of my son

7 tips to consider for changing your landscaping

Cash incentives are being used in some areas to get homeowners to voluntarily give up their lawns. Before making drastic changes to your lawn and landscape, the National Association of Landscape Professionals offers the following tips

Fall Prevention class May 7th in Roseville

Auburn, Calif. - Placer County is rolling out a new fall prevention campaign aimed at protecting older adults who face the highest risk of deadly falls. With 369 fall-related deaths over the past five years,

Roseville PD: How landscaping can enhance home security

Roseville, Calif. - During summer months many homeowners prepare for yard clean-up and landscaping projects. However, amidst the excitement of transforming outdoor spaces, it's crucial to consider how our landscaping choices can impact the safety of our homes.

Drought survival guide for landscaping recommendations

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is pleased to offer some recommendations to help you make smart choices and protect the environment using your area's mandated water reductions.

Topics

The Untold Story of Antibiotics: What Everyone Should Know

Sacramento, Calif. - Americans fill 300 million antibiotic prescriptions every year—one for every man, woman, and child. Antibiotics have undoubtedly saved countless lives, including that of my son

7 tips to consider for changing your landscaping

Cash incentives are being used in some areas to get homeowners to voluntarily give up their lawns. Before making drastic changes to your lawn and landscape, the National Association of Landscape Professionals offers the following tips

Fall Prevention class May 7th in Roseville

Auburn, Calif. - Placer County is rolling out a new fall prevention campaign aimed at protecting older adults who face the highest risk of deadly falls. With 369 fall-related deaths over the past five years,

Roseville PD: How landscaping can enhance home security

Roseville, Calif. - During summer months many homeowners prepare for yard clean-up and landscaping projects. However, amidst the excitement of transforming outdoor spaces, it's crucial to consider how our landscaping choices can impact the safety of our homes.

Drought survival guide for landscaping recommendations

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is pleased to offer some recommendations to help you make smart choices and protect the environment using your area's mandated water reductions.

Roseville Cash for Grass rebate June deadline approaches

Roseville, Calif.- For a limited time, the City of Roseville residential Cash for Grass rebate. Roseville water customers may apply for this popular rebate that reimburses $1.50 per square foot for turf grass removed and replaced with

Where does Placer County rank? California Unemployment Rate by County 2025

Roseville, Calif. - Placer County's unemployment has dropped in the latest report from the California Economic Development Dept.

Roseville Golfland SunSplash

Welcome to Northern California’s #1 destination for family fun! We offer tons of adventure, from thrilling waterslides to award-winning mini golf.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning serving Roseville and South Placer County for over 30 years

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning Inc. has been serving Placer County’s commercial and residential window cleaning needs since 1990.

Paul Black’s Solar Panel Cleaning in Roseville serving the region for over 30 years

Roseville, Calif. - Money-saving solar panels in Roseville, Rocklin and throughout South Placer County have become ubiquitous From new residential solar communities continue to big business and after market installation, solar seems to be a smart choice to shred those high monthly electric costs.

Mobley Pest Services in Roseville serving the community and region for over 20 years

Roseville, Calif.- Fully licensed and bonded, Mobley Pest Services in Roseville has been providing reliable pest control services for well over 20 years. Serving residents and businesses in the greater Placer and Sacramento region, Mobley Pest Services is locally owned and operated in Roseville.