TO THE EDITOR:
The army recently released its October suicide rates. The monthly rates are steadily increasing, and there have already been more suicides in 2012 than all of 2011.
While the army has already instituted a commendable number of programs designed to lower the suicide rate among soldiers, there are still more than three active duty army soldiers killing themselves every week, more then are currently dying in combat.
Two-thirds of army suicides occur after the victims witnessed combat. As the percentage of soldiers who have seen combat has increased in recent years, the rate will only increase.
One possible solution, restricting access to lethal means, remains untapped. Almost half of soldiers commit suicide with firearms they own as civilians. Another 20 percent kill themselves using military-issued firearms.
Yet 2011 legislation made it illegal for commanders to talk to their at-risk soldiers about gun safety.
New federal legislation looks to change this by allowing commanders to ask those deemed at risk.
This legislation should be supported along with campaigns to have family members voluntarily store guns of at-risk soldiers.
As limiting access to lethal means has been proven to reduce suicides, should this not override the NRA lobby?
