Majority of Firearm Deaths in Maine Are Suicides, Report Finds

State data shows 92% of gun-related deaths in Maine in 2024 were suicides, with most victims being men.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:33pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of a handgun, revealing its internal mechanisms in glowing lines against a dark background, conceptually representing the public health crisis of firearm-related suicides.An X-ray view of a handgun highlights the need to limit access to firearms for those struggling with mental health issues.Bath Today

A new report from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has found that the majority of firearm-related deaths in the state are suicides, with 92% of gun deaths in 2024 being self-inflicted. The report also highlights an increase in the use of Maine's yellow flag law, which allows police to ask a judge to order someone to relinquish their guns if a mental health professional agrees the person is suicidal or poses a threat.

Why it matters

Firearm-related deaths and injuries are an ongoing public health concern in Maine and across the U.S., and the state has made efforts to address this issue through suicide and injury prevention programs, as well as the implementation of laws like the yellow flag law. The report's findings underscore the need for continued focus on mental health support and access to firearms during times of crisis.

The details

The report shows that in 2024, there were 171 firearm deaths in Maine, 157 of which were suicides. The data also indicates that 14 of the 34 homicides in Maine that year involved firearms, and nearly 29% of firearm homicides from 2020 to 2024 were related to domestic violence. Additionally, the report includes data on hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to firearms, with the most common causes being accidental discharge or malfunction, followed by assaults.

  • In 2024, there were 171 firearm deaths in Maine, 157 of which were suicides.
  • The total number of all deaths by suicide in Maine dropped in 2025 to 252, down from 283 in 2024.
  • Between February and November 2025, there were nearly 4,500 instances where people reached out for support through the 'Here to Help' adult-focused suicide prevention campaign.
  • In 2025, there were 559 assessments completed under Maine's yellow flag law, an increase of 28% over the previous year.
  • Maine's new red flag law, which allows police and family or household members to petition a judge for a temporary weapons removal order, went into effect in February 2026.

The players

Sheila Nelson

Oversees the Maine CDC's adolescent health injury and suicide prevention program.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Produced the Firearm Fatalities and Hospitalizations in Maine annual report.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborated with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to produce the annual report.

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What they’re saying

“We see an opportunity for prevention using strategies that keep people safe and connect them to the help they need. That includes making sure that people who are struggling with their mental health do not have access to firearms 'in their darkest, most hopeless moment.'”

— Sheila Nelson, Oversees the Maine CDC's adolescent health injury and suicide prevention program

What’s next

The Maine Legislature has enacted an emergency bill to establish a review panel that will look at trends in deaths by suicide, help identify weaknesses in the system of care, and recommend ways to prevent deaths.

The takeaway

The report's findings highlight the urgent need for continued investment in mental health support and suicide prevention efforts in Maine, as well as the importance of policies and programs that restrict access to firearms for individuals in crisis. Addressing the root causes of firearm-related deaths, particularly suicides, will be crucial in improving public health outcomes in the state.