Gun suicide is rarely discussed in rural communities according to a sobering new report from CeaseFirePA Education Fund, “The Missing Conversation: Rural Perspectives on Firearm Suicide.”
In the first known, published polling on rural communities perception of firearm suicide, 1 in 4 rural Pennsylvanians say they’ve been personally affected by firearm suicide, but very few believe it’s a widespread issue in their communities.
This divergence inhibits efforts to address firearm suicide, which is the leading form of gun violence in rural Pennsylvania—accounting for nearly 60 percent of all gun-related deaths statewide and up to 80% in rural counties.
Despite this staggering toll, the report finds that firearm suicide remains largely absent from public discourse, hindered by a dangerous mix of stigma and silence. The study—authored by Dr. Jay Breneman, Director of Firearm Suicide Prevention for CeaseFirePA Education Fund and Stoneleigh Fellow—draws on months of polling, focus groups, and expert interviews across the Commonwealth.
“In just twenty years, firearm suicides have surged in rural Pennsylvania by more than 40%. More than 2,200 lives have been lost in recent years alone,” said Dr. Breneman. “But these aren’t just statistics, these are people that we lost—fathers, neighbors, friends. The toll of silence is deadly. We must confront it if we’re going to end this crisis. This conversation cannot miss anyone.”
Key Findings:
- Firearm suicide rates in some rural counties are double or triple the state average.
- Only 11% of rural residents affected by firearm suicide see it as a major community issue.
- Despite public and personal concern, public conversations rarely happen due to stigma and fear of judgment.
This disconnect is one of the biggest barriers to meaningful prevention.
What many communities lack isn’t compassion, but the means to respond. People are aware and concerned, but often unsure how to take the next step. The report lays out a path forward—guidance to help communities move from private worry to public dialogue, and to begin addressing firearm suicide together.
CeaseFirePA’s recommendations in the report include:Investing in firearm-specific suicide prevention efforts, particularly in high-risk rural areas.
- Normalizing public conversation about firearm suicide to break down stigma. A more traditional approach to suicide has been to avoid public conversation so as not to popularize it, particularly amongst young people.
- Equipping local leaders—veterans, parents, teachers, pastors—with tools to start the conversation.
- Encouraging policymakers to engage with their communities to help develop solutions.
The organization will use this report as a guiding document for empowering communities to recognize the risk of firearm suicide, speak more openly about it, and building local strategies that make prevention possible—no matter their starting point.
