Convergence Center for Policy Resolution: From Across the Divide on Guns, Diverse Leaders Advise on Preventing Firearm Suicide

Yearlong collaborative Convergence Dialogue tackles source of 60% of gun deaths

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2021 / Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, the leading nonprofit devoted to bridging divides and developing solutions to intractable public issues, today shared findings and solutions emerging from the yearlong Convergence Dialogue on Guns and Suicide Prevention at a panel discussion with some of the leaders who participated in the collaborative dialogue.

From across the normally unbridgeable divide on guns in America, participants came together, beginning in September 2020, to advise on the challenges, potential solutions and pressing next steps for preventing firearm suicides in America. In their report, Convergence Dialogue participants wrote, "We hope this report can demonstrate:

1. There are ideas and strategies we believe can meaningfully reduce the number of firearm suicides in our country-a project we agree is both urgent and doable.
2. A civil, good-faith conversation related to firearms is possible, and,
3. Such a conversation can build empathy, understanding, and deeper respect for one another even in the face of major disagreements."

In recent years, over 60 percent of all gun deaths in America are suicides, and about half of all suicides are by firearm, facts shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, most experts fear the ongoing global health crisis continues to take a heavy toll on mental health, often disproportionately among some of America's most vulnerable individuals and groups. The work of the group was further complexified by decades of stubbornly rising suicide rates, as well as increases in the prevalence and diversity of gun ownership in America.

Participants advising on these issues included leading voices from both gun rights and responsibilities groups and gun violence prevention groups as well as experts from the firearms industry, suicide prevention groups, and mental health groups. Medical practitioners, researchers and faith leaders were also a part of the yearlong effort.

Representing a broad spectrum of perspectives from urban and rural America as well as diverse ideological and socioeconomic backgrounds, the group convened for regular virtual sessions hosted by Convergence.  As a result, The Convergence Dialogue on Guns and Suicide Prevention Report, released today, details a series of actionable proposals and strategies.