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In reply to the discussion: Study: More Guns Lead To More Suicides [View all]Deep13
(39,154 posts)The first is that I agree with the common view that suicide is often driven by depression or other mental illnesses. If the underlying condition were treated, the individual would likely realize that there is no need to end it all. So, from that perspective, I agree that gun access does make it easier for one to commit suicide rashly.
The second perspective is to realize that there can be well-informed, rational reasons to choose to die. There really are no-win situations and everyone dies eventually. There are hopeless personal situations--some incurable, hellish medical condition, for instance--as well as situations where suicide may be justified as contrition--the people responsible for the financial collapse come to mind. In any case, if I were in a no-win situation, I would want the physical ability to exit on my own terms.
Please note that I am not a Christian and do not believe the optimistic, but fanciful idea that every problem is solvable or that nothing is worse than death. As I noted, we will ALL die eventually, the only question is when and under what circumstances.