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Suicide and Guns

Suicide by gun is almost always lethal

Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO)

Suicide by gun is almost always lethal, and removing access to guns can save lives.  A new ERPO Expansion law which went into effect April 28, 2023 will allow concerned family members, law enforcement, educators, mental health professionals, and others to go to court to temporarily remove guns from dangerous people.  Learn more. 

Colorado Ceasefire works to reduce firearm suicide through legislation and education.  Subscribe to our e-newsletter for ways you can help pass common-sense legislation. (Note: At this time, we are in the process of updating our email software. The link to subscribe is an email to us. Please provide your name and contact information. We don’t share this outside of our organization. Thank you!)

Temporary Storage of Guns

If you or a loved one is in crisis and would like to temporarily store your guns off your property, check out this map of businesses and law enforcement that will temporarily store firearms from the Colorado Firearm Safety Coalition. 

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Firearm Deaths in Colorado including Suicides 

Total Firearm Deaths in Colorado in 2022: 1,033 

(This is reduced from 1,059 in 2021 because of the reduction in firearm suicides). 

2022 current data as released by the Colorado Department of Health and the Environment:

  • Firearm Homicides: 414 (increase from previous 366 in 2021)
  • Firearm Suicides: 690 (down from previous 740 in 2021; there were 649 in 2020)
  • Unintended/accidental firearm deaths: 10
  • Firearm death by undetermined intent: 8
  • Firearm death by legal intervention: 24

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, our national agency), reported that Colorado ranked 6th highest in the U.S. for suicides in 2021. (Note that CDC data for 2022 have not yet been released.)

In 2022, in Colorado:

  • 73% of all homicides were committed with a firearm*
  • 54% of all suicides were with firearms
  • 67% of all gun deaths were suicides

*There has been an increase since 2013; in 2000, 55% of all homicides were committed with a firearm.

Suicide rates for all groups were markedly lower in states with laws that:

  • required waiting periods for purchasing guns
  • had universal background checks
  • required gun locks
  • had open carry regulations
  • required license or permit-to-purchase for handguns
  • registration of handguns
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, 2022 data.
DOWNLOAD GUNS AND SUICIDE FACTSHEET

If you or someone you know is suicidal

Colorado Crisis Line

1-844-493-8255, Chat online or text TALK to 38255 to text with a counselor.

Mental Health Hotline

Dial 988 for free and confidential emotional support services. Or, text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor via text message.

Second Wind Fund

thesecondwindfund.org links students to mental health professionals and pays for up to 12 counseling sessions.

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid provides training in how to recognize suicidal behavior. http://www.mhfaco.org/findclass

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Suicide Prevention Resource Center teaches about suicide warning signs https://www.sprc.org/about-suicide/warning-signs