Gun violence is among the five leading causes of death for children and adults. In order to protect people from violence, we have to first understand what factors increase the risk of violence. These are called risk factors. Risk factors don’t cause violence, but they can increase a person’s chances for experiencing violence.
know the
Risk
Factors
Common Risk Factors for
Violence & Suicide
Risk factors for violence are linked to prolonged and repeated exposure to high
levels of stress. All the following toxic stressors can increase the risk of violence:
Living in a home with substance use and/or mental health problems
Lacking stable housing
Living in a community with few resources or opportunities,
such as stores, schools, and jobs
Experiencing neglect or food scarcity
Seeing or experiencing violence
There are also additional risk factors to be aware of when it comes to suicide by firearm:
- Easy access to a firearm
- Prior suicide attempt(s)
- Misuse of alcohol or other drugs
- Substance and gambling addictions
- Mental disorders, particularly depression and other mood disorders
Find suicide prevention services and resources at www.preventsuicidect.org or Download our Guide to Preventing Firearm Suicide (PDF).
An Unequal Share
of Violence
Anyone can be affected by violence, but certain groups are more likely to experience gun violence, highlighting ongoing social, racial, income, and gender inequalities.
Black Americans are at much greater risk for experiencing gun violence in the community and fatal shootings by police. Young men are more likely to be fatally shot, Black Americans are facing homicide rates significantly higher than the national average. Young Black men account for 38% of gun deaths in the state, which is more than three times their population percentage. A 2025 study from nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety reports that “underinvestment in Black communities has created areas of concentrated disadvantages, housing instability, and poverty, where the public health crisis of gun violence continues to impact.”
More than half of all female homicide victims were killed by a male intimate partner. In more than 50% of the cases, a firearm was used. Access to a gun makes it 5x more likely that a woman will die at the hands of a domestic abuser.
Since 2020, firearms have been the leading cause of deaths nationally for children and teens ages 1-18, surpassing motor vehicle deaths.
Alcohol and substance use are associated with risk of dangerous behavior, including firearm violence and gun suicide. Research by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (PDF) shows that more than half of homicides in the state involve substance use and 28% involve alcohol.
Mental health impact on suicides:
Despite the attention mass shootings receive, there are just as many suicides by firearm as homicides by firearm. In fact, Connecticut experienced 104 firearm-related suicides versus 100 firearm-related homicides in 2023.
Stress, social rejection, economic pressures, and mental health issues are just some of the complex factors at play.
What is clear, however, is that access to firearms dramatically increases the risk of suicide.
If you or someone you love are looking for mental health treatment,
help is available. Call the Action Line 1-800-HOPE-135 (1-800-467-3135).
For youth in crisis, contact Crisis Intervention Services.
