New Colorado gun control law could help prevent suicides

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signs gun control measures in his office at the state capitol, March, 20, 2013, in Denver. The bills require background checks for private and online gun sales and ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. / AP Photo

When Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law sweeping new restrictions on firearms this week, he cited the prevention of suicides by handgun as one of the reasons he supported the legislation.

"However many homicides we have each year with handguns, we have about 20 percent more suicides," he said. "That number drops significantly when you have universal background checks."

Play Video

Colorado's gun laws about to get tougher

The new law in Colorado expands the requirement for background checks to private and online gun sales. Previously, only licensed firearm dealers were required to run a background check. Now, nearly all firearm purchasers will have to undergo a background check, and experts in suicide prevention say adding that extra layer to the process could save lives.

"If you can make it difficult at that moment when they are serious about taking their lives, you get that chance to intervene," said Robert Gebbia, executive director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

"Getting time is very important," Gebbia said.

Under the Colorado law, which takes effect on July 1, private gun sellers would go through a licensed firearm dealer to complete the background check. The dealers rely on the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to complete the check, which CBI aims to complete in 20 minutes.

• Is the debate on gun violence fading?
• Biden lobbies as Colo. approves gun-control measures
• Full Coverage: Colorado Massacre

Most Americans who take their own lives use a firearm. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the more than 38,000 suicides in the U.S. every year, just over half are gun-related. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the country.

And both nationally and in Colorado, handgun deaths are far more likely to be suicides than homicides.

The CDC lists "easy access to lethal methods" as a leading risk factor for suicide, and guns are the most lethal method for suicide.

Gebbia likens the extra step built into a firearm purchase by a background check to suicide barriers on bridges.

"When they actually go to make an attempt, at that point they're intent on dying," he said. "They may change their mind, it does happen. Those feelings are often very impulsive and fleeting."

[Larry1355]

It's time to get rid of all these stupid politicians. They don't understand facts at all, they just make up number they think sounds good for their agendas. Like this one here, if someone wants to kill themselves they will. I think he would rather see them do this with their car. Go out on I-70 get into the wrong lane and take out an entire family when they commit suicide.
They won't be able to with a gun though.

[Larry1355]

It's time to get rid of all these stupid politicians. They don't understand facts at all, they just make up number they think sounds good for their agendas. Like this one here, if someone wants to kill themselves they will. I think he would rather see them do this with their car. Go out on I-70 get into the wrong lane and take out an entire family when they commit suicide.
They won't be able to with a gun though.

[TiffanyinTexas]

My Body. My Choice. I should be able to choose how I will live and how I will die.

[mgh9999]

I am sorry you can't have a transfat french fry, a 20 oz soda, the progressive elites will dictate your life.

oh and by the way... this won't affect suicide rates at all ... Japan has no guns and is 2x higher rate. UK has very little guns and is the same as US.

This is just more progressive ***********.

[dickkahrs]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions!

[Lizardbreath7]

The Bible has porn and homicide in it.
As to those that think suicide by pills or stabbing themselves with knives, or slitting wrists is as easy as shooting oneself with a gun, you clearly haven't gotten close to anyone who tried. Get some data.

[LethargicSynapse]

I've had three friends kill themselves over the years, one hung himself, one shot himself and his ex-girlfriend (the mother of his child), and one jumped.

Are you insinuating those things are more difficult somehow than going to the store, buying a gun, getting ammo, loading the gun, putting it to your head and pulling the trigger? Last I checked, a long walk off a short pier was faster, cheaper, and easier.

[ThoughtfulguyJ13]

Ok, so if I go to Colorado and I want to commit suicide... I guess I am going to have to use a knife, drown myself, set where I am on fire (or just immerse myself with gas and strike a match), overdose on just every pill in the house, drink radiator fluid, jump off a building, hang myself, or any other imaginative ways to kill myself.... Seriously, NOTHING in this world can stop someone from killing themselves if they want to just do it. This ploy to give "reason" to put gun control down is just ridiculous and illogical.

[moonglow525]

Exactly right. Nothing will stop someone from killing themselves if that's what they really want to do. Their reasoning just doesn't hold water. Isn't it amazing the ridiculous BS they think up. I think drug screens are in order.

Besides, this new legislation is unconstitutional. According to the Second Amendment, our right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon. The new legislation infringes upon the constitutional right to bear arms. Why do the masses let the government run roughshod over them?

[forrestgumpy]

Commit suicide-WHY so many???, maybe because there is no HOPE for anyone Obama, lost jobs, homes, families, etc etc, maybe we should ban Barry from office, thee worst man ever to hold office. They the AP liberal media adds the suicide numbers which is 20,000 a yr, 11,000 by crimes, yet 55 millions abortions since 1973 and we turn a blind eye, it's all B.S. Buy your guns and protect yourself from people like Joe and Barry our government.

[ibsteve2u]

Sounds like your life is a box of ammo rather than chocolates, Forrest.

Have you considered the possibility that worrying about people who say things like "...protect yourself from [...] our government" cooking off like superheated ammo is behind the success of the gun control advocates?

[LethargicSynapse]

Actually Steve, I think it has more to do with things like the NDAA, NDRP, selling guns to Mexican drug cartels, killing American citizens-including kids, the Patriot Act, and endless other atrocities against our citizenry.

[judymar14]

That will help stop inter-city hand-gun gang murders which are the cause of the high % of gun-related crimes. Why can't this country address what causes % of killings to be so high? Or would that be racist? Band handguns owned by gangbangers, surely they will abide. If someone is going to commit suicide there are a lot more ways than with a gun.

Please note the above is mostly sarcastic.

First assualt rifles now handguns...make-up your mind.

Hickenlooper better watch out which laws he's coming up with. Colorado is close to number one being a hunting capitol of the country and a home of NRA.

[mtndewmann]

KEEP THE HELL AWAY FROM UTAH WITH YOUR BS..My nephew committed suicide by placing a radio in the bathtub, while he was taking a bath..NO GUN..IDIOTS.

And to think I was ACTUALLY planning on moving to Denver...

[greennnnnn-2009]

There are many, many people who commit suicide with a firearm.

[LethargicSynapse]

And will they suddenly no longer desire to commit suicide if they don't have one, GREENNNNNNN?

[drwhoses]

I just read where salt is killing thousands of people each year. I say we limit the size of boxes that salt comes in. I guess we will just have to ignore the laws that were just signed by our A**hole, Democratic Governor. I think when GOD made Democrats he asked who would like a brain. He only had one and I am still trying to figure out who got it!