The Association Between Repealing the 48-Hour Mandatory Waiting Period on Handgun Purchases and Suicide Rates in Wisconsin

* What this study adds: This study demonstrates how the repeal of one specific firearm policy correlates with and increase in suicide rates, among urban individuals of color.

Abstract

Importance

Suicide is a significant public health burden in the United States. There is little understanding how policies regarding gun purchasing affects suicide rates. Wisconsin state legislature rescinded a 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases, which took effect in June 2015.

Objective

To determine whether firearm-related suicide increased with the repeal of the 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases in 2015.

Method

We obtained data through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services via the Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health Query System. Suicide rates were compared by Comparative Mortality Figures (CMF).

Results

We reviewed all suicides in Wisconsin between 2012–2014 and 2016–2018. The rate ratios (R) and second generation P values (p_δ) comparing deaths between 2012–2014 and 2016–2018 indicate significant increases in firearm-related suicide among people of color (R = 1.927; p_δ = 0.0) and among Wisconsinites residing in urban counties (R = 1.379, p_δ = 0.0). There was no significant increase in non-firearm-related suicide (R = 1.117, p_δ = 0.092), nor in firearm-related suicide among White non-Hispanics (R = 1.107, p_δ = 0.164) or Wisconsinites residing in rural counties (R = 1.085, p_δ = 0.500).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the repeal of the 48-hour waiting period on handgun purchases in 2015 is correlated with the increase of firearm-related suicides among Wisconsin residents of color and Wisconsinites residing in urban counties.

Key Messages:

• Firearm policies are associated with changes in suicide rates.

Keywords:

• Firearm-related waiting period handguns
• policy
• suicide

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the University of Wisconsin, the Comprehensive Injury Center, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

* What this study adds: This study demonstrates how the repeal of one specific firearm policy correlates with and increase in suicide rates, among urban individuals of color.

Additional information

Funding

This research was made possible with funding from the Shapiro Research Grant from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine.

Notes on contributors

Zachary R. Dunton

Zachary R. Dunton, BS, Medical Student, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Sara A. Kohlbeck

Sara A. Kohlbeck, MPH, Assistant Director, Comprehensive Injury Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Michael R. Lasarev

Michael R. Lasarev, MS, Biostatistician, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Charles R. Vear

Charles R. Vear, Wisconsin Violent Death Reporting System Coordinator, Comprehensive Injury Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Stephen W. Hargarten

Stephen W. Hargarten, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director, Comprehensive Injury Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.