americans, what's your reasoning for not shooting yourself?

[pepperminttea]

I always wonder why americans dont just buy a gun and shoot themselves. It seems like such an easy option. So if youre american or from somewhere where firearms are legal, whats your reason why this isnt your method?

 

[well2hell]

I don't live in the US, but states usually require a mental health background check when purchasing a gun — at least first-hand.

Other reasons:

- It is not a peaceful method. It is scary to shoot oneself in the head so it can very well exacerbate SI.

- A gun can be expensive so many might not be able to purchase one.

- Despite its apparent simplicity, the method is not straightforward. It requires reading up on the technique to correctly shoot yourself in the head.

 

[GrizzlyGrapefruit]

Not every state has the same set of laws regarding guns. Because of this, it's easier to get guns in some states and harder to get guns in others.

I live in a state where there are some of the strictest gun laws, and that's my reason.

Otherwise, I could see myself getting a shotgun and feeling like that's a super safe option for me to exit.

 

[TheCyberian]

I always wonder why americans dont just buy a gun and shoot themselves. It seems like such an easy option. So if youre american or from somewhere where firearms are legal, whats your reason why this isnt your method?

I've been forced into a mental hospital before so I can't legally purchase a gun in my state. It's also important to me that my body remains completely intact when I die.

 

[WhiteRabbit]

I've seen too many stories of people screwing up and blowing their faces off.

 

[bdtbath]

Guns scare people. I don't want to scare anyone. I just want to die.

 

[Life_and_Death]

not an American (technically, i am north american ), personally though,

missing

 

[SamTam33]

Once upon a time I was certain that's how I would go. But Google has a way of setting you straight.

I, too, saw the pics of people with blown off faces. Sitting up, no less. Completely fine except that gaping hole in their face. When researching why this happened, I learned about recoil and how the gun moves slightly upward when you fire.

I'm afraid my noodly arms wouldn't be able to control it. It'd probably jump so much when I pulled the trigger, that I'd end up blowing off nothing but my damn nose.

Youtube "Soft white underbelly shotgun." Dude got shot point blank in the head with a shotgun. SMH.

 

[willitpass]

as stated before, a background check would find my mental health a reason to not sell one to me. and honestly they terrify me. even though i know the most successful way to shoot oneself i don't think i would be able to do it. guns have always scared me so to put one in my mouth and pull the trigger would be too much for me

 

[Hirokami]

I have an anxiety disorder and a severe one at that. My palms would get all sweaty and my hands would get shaky, making it very likely that I'd miss and end up being a vegetable or having to get an uncanny face transplant. Shooting is definitely not ideal for someone like me.

 

[makethepainstop]

I always wonder why americans dont just buy a gun and shoot themselves. It seems like such an easy option. So if youre american or from somewhere where firearms are legal, whats your reason why this isnt your method?

Because if your shot placement is wrong, you can survive as a semi vegetable, or worse with such brain damage that you would be unable to function normally. I would not want to spend time as a invalid in a nursing home for years.

 

[BipolarExpress]

My state has background checks and I've been admitted to a psych ward, so I doubt I'd pass. (Also, I have tremors in my hands from one of my medications, so I don't think I'd be able to hold the gun properly. So SN it is.)

 

[TheUncommon]

I can't just go into a store and buy a gun...

 

[leeloosnow]

definitely considered it, and even tho i pretty much wouldn't be able to outright buy guns b/c of my history, there's PLENTY of ways to access firearms in the US. Some firing ranges don't ask for permits, you rent. study says 118 ctb at firing ranges in 2021, here There's also a gun show loophole, heard of purchases happening that way, here And, there's so many ppl who don't store or handle firearms properly, or get illegal ones... Access isn't my issue, it's just that I don't wanna screw it up, I would be super anxious and wouldn't wanna have guns in my possession for many reasons. It is the most common method in the US, but not for me. Can't imagine any reasons why our representatives would rather restrict more peaceful methods over firearms, cough cough nra$

 

[Rounded Apathy]

Damn, I'd trade any of y'all my SN for a magnum and some hollow points. I don't mean this in a judgmental way, but it's so interesting how we all rationalize our choices and fears in our own ways. Every method has risks, many can leave you in a "vegetative" state, but the incredibly high success rate and sheer instantaneity of a gun to me are the perfect pair.

Given this is a not accessible method to me I haven't studied up on recoil and as such could be way off base, but to those worried about surviving with only part of a face (@SamTam33 @willitpass @Hirokami) - how could shooting at the brainstem from just behind the ear pose this risk?

 

[sleeps]

i'm paranoid that i'll come off weird or somehow the gun store clerk will just Know by looking at me that i have suicidal intentions and refuse to sell to me + call the cops and get me locked in a psych ward. probably (definitely) irrational lol but that's my brain

 

[regal20]

You don't have to be an American to buy a gun. In many countries you can order a black powder weapon that is available without a permit . The Colt walker has a power equivalent to a modern 357 magnum, much more effective than a ridiculous 9mm glock.

 

[Amccorm2]

I'm in the UK and can access firearms. It's not as easy as you'd think to use one on yourself. The highest success rate is with a shotgun but if you've ever used a shotgun it can really put you off. The forces, gas pressures and shot placement all would make for an extremely graphic mess for whoever discovers you.

 

[SamTam33]

Damn, I'd trade any of y'all my SN for a magnum and some hollow points. I don't mean this in a judgmental way, but it's so interesting how we all rationalize our choices and fears in our own ways. Every method has risks, many can leave you in a "vegetative" state, but the incredibly high success rate and sheer instantaneity of a gun to me are the perfect pair.

Given this is a not accessible method to me I haven't studied up on recoil and as such could be way off base, but to those worried about surviving with only part of a face (@SamTam33 @willitpass @Hirokami) - how could shooting at the brainstem from just behind the ear pose this risk?

Placement doesn't eliminate recoil. You have to be able to control the gun.

 

[Someday_Somehow32]

If I had one, I doubt I would be able to get myself to shoot it.

 

[sevenkarmas]

I have several firearms. Going to the range and shooting targets is one thing that helps me relax and release tension. I can't imagine using something that has provided me some enjoyment to end my life. That said, gun shot wounds are extremely messy. Use an improper caliber, and it may just pass through your skull and leave you a vegetable. I am concerned about the trauma that the person who finds me experiences. I also don't want my home to be the house where xx's dad blew his brains out.

 

[DarkFriend.]

I came close once. A few years ago I held mine, loaded and ready, to my head after downing a bottle of vodka.

I felt that maybe it was time to go... maybe it wasn't. I didn't know.


Many of us here have dealt with this pain of living for so long, and I understand how you could think that it'd be so easy to just pull the trigger, but it isn't. It's just as easy as jumping in front of a train or from a great height...

Sometimes the more cognitive and paced methods allure us. Slower, less violent . . . we imagine it to be more controlled, assured, serene even.

Sometimes we want to die and then wake up like I did that following morning next to a loaded gun on my bed staring at my face, wondering whether I actually did it and am just stuck in another timeline in this endless hell.

 

[nopointinlife]

It's not peaceful and the chances of survival are too high.

 

[almaranthine]

-likely wouldn't pass mental health background check
-kids live in the apartment next to me, would not want to ruin my car as it could be sold off after my death
-messy and traumatic for family members and people finding the body
-I'm not comfortable shooting a gun and would probably fuck it up or not be able to bring myself to pull the trigger

Years ago I dated a guy that had a gun. I contemplated grabbing it while he was in the shower, driving away, and shooting myself in my car many, many times. Couldn't bring myself to do it though.

 

[Little T]

I don't live in the US, but states usually require a mental health background check when purchasing a gun — at least first-hand.

Other reasons:

- It is not a peaceful method. It is scary to shoot oneself in the head so it can very well exacerbate SI.

- A gun can be expensive so many might not be able to purchase one.

- Despite its apparent simplicity, the method is not straightforward. It requires reading up on the technique to correctly shoot yourself in the head.

I did not know it required mental health background check. I thought usa had protection of health records?

 

[cowie]

I've never used a gun before. I'm not sure if I would pass a mental health background check. If someone who knew me knew I purchased a gun they would immediately be suspicious. Finally, I think it's a nasty-looking way to go, even if you get it right, which is not guaranteed.

 

[well2hell]

Another reason that seems to be overlooked: shooting a gun is noisy, so unless it doesn't matter to the person CTBing, they can't do it in the comfort of their home and instead have to find a secluded area.

The noise as well as finding a dismembered corpse is traumatizing to others too, so this is something to take into account if the person who is CTBing wants to avoid psychologically hurting other people.

 

[watchingthewheels]

I always wonder why americans dont just buy a gun and shoot themselves. It seems like such an easy option. So if youre american or from somewhere where firearms are legal, whats your reason why this isnt your method?

It's what my father did, when I was four, and I am the one who found his body. That's why.

 

[Minibosterita]

I'm afraid of failing

 

[almaranthine]

Another reason that seems to be overlooked: shooting a gun is noisy, so unless it doesn't matter to the person CTBing, they can't do it in the comfort of their home and instead have to find a secluded area.

The noise as well as finding a dismembered corpse is traumatizing to others too, so this is something to take into account if the person who is CTBing wants to avoid psychologically hurting other people.

Also depending on the type of gun and bullets used... couldn't the bullet potentially go through, say, a crappy apartment wall, and potentially injure someone else?