TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Hadah, Hussain
AU  - Compta, Gael
AU  - Saffouri, Ali
        TI  - The Effects of Waiting Periods on Firearm Suicides in the U.S.
        PY  - 2026/May/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 18624
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp18624
        AB  - 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.
        KW  - firearm waiting periods
KW  - suicide prevention
KW  - gun policy
KW  - public health
KW  - difference-in-differences
KW  - event-study design
        ER  -