Fact Check: "Gun suicides hit record high of 27,300 in 2023."
What We Know
In 2023, the number of gun suicides in the United States reached a record high of 27,300, accounting for 58% of all gun-related deaths. This statistic is supported by data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The total number of firearm-related deaths was approximately 46,728, with suicides being the leading cause of these fatalities for the third consecutive year. The report emphasizes that gun suicides have been on the rise, reflecting a broader trend in the U.S. where firearms are increasingly involved in suicide attempts, particularly among certain demographic groups such as Black and Hispanic youth (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that gun suicides hit a record high of 27,300 in 2023 is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The CDC's National Vital Statistics System provides comprehensive mortality data, confirming that firearm suicides accounted for a significant portion of overall suicide statistics. Furthermore, the report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlights that this figure represents the highest number recorded for gun suicides, reinforcing the accuracy of the claim (source-2).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are based on official health statistics and peer-reviewed research. The CDC is a reputable government agency known for its rigorous data collection and analysis. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is a leading institution in public health research, further validating the credibility of the findings presented in their report (source-3).
In contrast, while there are discussions about the implications of rising gun suicides, the data itself remains consistent across various reports. For instance, the U.S. News article also references the same statistics, confirming the prevalence of gun suicides in the overall context of gun violence in the U.S.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that gun suicides reached a record high of 27,300 in 2023 is accurate, supported by reliable data from the CDC and corroborated by recent reports from reputable public health institutions. The evidence indicates a concerning trend in firearm-related suicides, underscoring the need for continued public health interventions and awareness.
