SUICIDE: Gun correlation mistaken

I am writing in response to Nick Gier’s article “What’s behind rise of suicide in U.S.” You make a few incorrect assumptions and jump to a conclusion that is all too easy.

First, simply having a college degree does not make you immune from suicide. One could argue that the amount of student debt accumulated from obtaining a degree could cause a person to have suicidal thoughts.

Second, there is not a strong correlation between fewer guns and suicide across the board. If this were true, then Japan would have one of the lowest suicide rates in the world. They have one of the lowest rates of gun ownership, yet still have one of the highest suicide rates.

Third, Hawaii and Wyoming are two completely different states. The amount of sunshine could be part of the equation in Hawaii having fewer suicides. People seem to have more depression with a lack of sun (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Fourth, the religions/areas you listed that have lower suicide rates tend to use fear to indoctrinate their followers. Suicide bombings are common in one of the religions you mentioned. I understand that’s not the same as suicide, but it is ironic.

I agree that guns make up a large portion of the method, however you cannot simply say that fewer guns equal lower suicide rates. Without guns, people would still find a way. There is a deeper issue that is much more complex and harder to address with an explanation, but getting rid of guns is not the solution.

GIO GENTILINI

Rathdrum