One of the lesser-known consequences of America's high rate of gun ownership, is a world leading number of suicides using firearms. 
Americans are more than twice as likely to commit suicide by gun as the residents of other developed countries. 
Among the states differences in firearm-related suicides largely track the differences in gun ownership. 
This same pattern is well-known from developed countries around the world as well. 
It isn't clear if overall suicide rates are actually higher when guns are more common.
(Research is unclear on whether removing guns prevents suicide attempts or just leads to alternative methods.)
(Research is unclear on whether removing guns prevents suicide attempts or just leads to alternative methods.)
However, the high prevalence of suicide by gun is likely an indicator of the ease with which mentally ill people can acquire access to firearms.
