SELF-DEFENSE AGAINST GUN SUICIDE

36 Pages Posted: 24 Sep 2014 Last revised: 7 Oct 2015

See all articles by Fredrick E. Vars

Fredrick E. Vars

University of Alabama - School of Law

Date Written: September 23, 2014

Abstract

Around twenty-thousand Americans each year commit suicide using a gun. Many would survive if it were more difficult to obtain the gun. The proposal here is not for gun control, but self control. Specifically, this article proposes allowing individuals to confidentially put their names into the existing federal background check system to prevent or delay their own future firearm purchases. Empowering people to restrict their own access to guns has the potential to save many lives, is supported by other self-binding regimes, and poses no serious constitutional concerns. It is always thus, impelled by a state of mind which is destined not to last, that we make our irrevocable decisions.

Keywords: Suicide, Firearms, Ulysses, Second Amendment

Suggested Citation

Vars, Fredrick E., SELF-DEFENSE AGAINST GUN SUICIDE (September 23, 2014). 56 Boston College Law Review 1465 (2015), U of Alabama Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2500291, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2500291 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2500291

Fredrick E. Vars (Contact Author)

University of Alabama - School of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 870382
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
United States

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