Suicides at Shooting Ranges

[dabrockster]

Here is an article that I had no idea was even an issue. It seems that some people who have committed suicide have gone to the shooting range where they can rent a gun. Rather then purchasing a gun they go here to end their life. In Columbus one shooting range has had two people commit suicide in 16 months. In Florida one shooting range had 3 people in one month, and in Bellevue, Washington they had 2 people in a 5-day period at the same shooting range. The issue is, unlike the purchase of a gun the shooting ranges do not have to run any background checks etc prior to giving a person a gun.

Some wish to implement regulations to prevent such things that could be costly to the local business. While others think that the businesses will police themselves to ensure this is not used in such a way.

One other topic was the creation of a Suicide registry to see how much of an issue this is along with other areas.

Here is the article:
http://www.theotherpaper.com/article...a369707449.txt

[statman]

A guy did it at a range in Taylorsville (on Redwood) a couple months ago. Not sure if he rented a gun or not...

[dabrockster]

I did a quick google of the words "Shooting Range + Suicide" and I was saddened by the amount of articles etc I had found.. This sounds like a big problem..

Link:
[ame="http://www.google.com/search?q=Shooting+Ranges+%2B+Suicide&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a"]Shooting Ranges + Suicide - Google Search[/ame]

[wuapinmon]

I don't think that anything needs to be done. Shooting ranges don't need to do background checks. A screening process could be established, but if someone wants to kill themselves, they're going to do it.

I see the rights of shooting range owners and the public's ability to access a legal place to discharge their firearms as surpassing the need to protect suicidal people from easy access to firearms.

[Moliere]

I don't think that anything needs to be done. Shooting ranges don't need to do background checks. A screening process could be established, but if someone wants to kill themselves, they're going to do it.

I see the rights of shooting range owners and the public's ability to access a legal place to discharge their firearms as surpassing the need to protect suicidal people from easy access to firearms.

But something must be done!!!! (tic)

Pretty soon there will be a three day waiting period to buy rope from the local Home Depot. (somewhat tic)

[dabrockster]

I agree with the comments made. I think the shooting ranges can police themselves and work to ensure this does not happen.

I am concerned by the Ohio Violent Crimes division in the Ohio Department of Health (HUH??) who is looking at trying to implement regulations or create policy to implement this type of regulation.


I was curious about this since I had never heard of it before and wanted to look at it more..

[Hallelujah]

Here is an article that I had no idea was even an issue. It seems that some people who have committed suicide have gone to the shooting range where they can rent a gun. Rather then purchasing a gun they go here to end their life. In Columbus one shooting range has had two people commit suicide in 16 months. In Florida one shooting range had 3 people in one month, and in Bellevue, Washington they had 2 people in a 5-day period at the same shooting range. The issue is, unlike the purchase of a gun the shooting ranges do not have to run any background checks etc prior to giving a person a gun.

Some wish to implement regulations to prevent such things that could be costly to the local business. While others think that the businesses will police themselves to ensure this is not used in such a way.

One other topic was the creation of a Suicide registry to see how much of an issue this is along with other areas.

Here is the article:
http://www.theotherpaper.com/article...a369707449.txt

How many people committed suicide in each locale in the same timeframe but not at a shooting range? How many died during the same timeframe as a result of driving under the influence? At least these guys are doing it at the shooting range and not in their basements for their families to find.

[BigFatMeanie]

But something must be done!!!! (tic)

Pretty soon there will be a three day waiting period to buy rope from the local Home Depot. (somewhat tic)

It's the nugget of truth behind your post that makes it funny. Guns were banned in England. Knife crime shoots through the roof:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/worldview/2...ife-crime.html

My favorite quote on "knife crime":

It has taken over terrorism as the Metropolitan Police’s No. 1 priority

It is illegal in Britain to sell a knife to someone under the age of 18. It is illegal to carry a knife. They also sell "anti-stab" knifes:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6501720.ece

I guarantee you that claw-hammer related crime will soar as once Britain totally bans knives.

[Danimal]

I don't think that anything needs to be done. Shooting ranges don't need to do background checks. A screening process could be established, but if someone wants to kill themselves, they're going to do it.

I see the rights of shooting range owners and the public's ability to access a legal place to discharge their firearms as surpassing the need to protect suicidal people from easy access to firearms.

Actually, that's not true. Research shows that barriers to suicide often stop people from carrying it out.

For example:
1. http://www.suicide.org/suicide-myths.html
Suicide Myth

Once people decide to die by suicide, there is nothing you can do to stop them.
Suicide Fact

Suicide can be prevented. Most people who are suicidal do not want to die; they just want to stop their pain.

2. http://www.nhchc.org/ShelterHealth/T...hsandFacts.pdf
Myth: Suicidal people are fully intent on dying. Nothing others do or say can help.
Fact: Suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately want to live; they are
just unable to see alternatives to their problems.

3. http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educator...ide_myths.html
Suicidal people really want to die, so there's no way to stop them.
False. They are depressed and need help. With help, they can feel better and find other solutions.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Actually, that's not true. Research shows that barriers to suicide often stop people from carrying it out.

For example:
1. http://www.suicide.org/suicide-myths.html
Suicide Myth

Once people decide to die by suicide, there is nothing you can do to stop them.
Suicide Fact

Suicide can be prevented. Most people who are suicidal do not want to die; they just want to stop their pain.

2. http://www.nhchc.org/ShelterHealth/T...hsandFacts.pdf
Myth: Suicidal people are fully intent on dying. Nothing others do or say can help.
Fact: Suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately want to live; they are
just unable to see alternatives to their problems.

3. http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educator...ide_myths.html
Suicidal people really want to die, so there's no way to stop them.
False. They are depressed and need help. With help, they can feel better and find other solutions.

That was well put Danimal. Given your profession, you have an insight into suicide and depression that many here can only pretend to have.