The rate of firearm deaths that are suicides in Maine is significantly higher than the national average, according to a new report released by the Maine Center for Disease Control.
Last year, 154 people in Maine died by firearms. One hundred thirty-two were suicides. That's 86%, compared with the national rate of 54%.
The report was recently sent to the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee under a new state law that requires the CDC to issue an annual firearm injury and death report. The agency says that 12% of firearm deaths in Maine are homicides and 2% are accidental.
