%0 Report
        %A Hadah, Hussain
%A Compta, Gael
%A Saffouri, Ali
        %T The Effects of Waiting Periods on Firearm Suicides in the U.S.
        %D 2026
        %8 2026 May
        %I Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        %C Bonn
        %7 IZA Discussion Paper
        %N 18624
        %U https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp18624
        %X In this paper, we analyze the causal effect of mandatory firearm waiting periods on suicide rates using difference-in-differences methodology. We find waiting periods reduce overall firearm suicides by 12% (0.92 deaths per 100,000), with steeper declines among white individuals (37%) and adults over 55 (40%). We find no evidence of substitution toward non-firearm methods; conversely, repealing these laws increases firearm suicides. Back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that waiting periods prevent approximately 3,000 deaths annually, generating $41 billion in social benefits. These findings demonstrate that "cooling-off periods" effectively disrupt the transition from suicidal ideation to action by delaying access to lethal means.
        %K firearm waiting periods
%K suicide prevention
%K gun policy
%K public health
%K difference-in-differences
%K event-study design