people that kill themselves are mentally ill. the gun is simply the tool. i guess they use guns because they are quick, no suffering while you are strangling, burning, etc. the misconception (IMO) that it is a painless death seems very wrong to me. now, if you wanted a painless death, morphine (heroin) seems to me like the way to go. you would pass out way before you drew your last breath. as for you extended family. you are going to have to let them greive for a while before you try again. otherwise it will result in anger and animosity towards guns. unfortunatly, MANY people blame the gun for the problem (aka, the brady bunch) instead of dealing with the real problem, which is the PERSON using the gun. guns are an inantimate object, and as such, are easy to blame. people can talk back, blame others, etc. but a gun just sits there, not saying a word. i dont know when people will realize this. it is a fact. a gun sitting there, loaded, cocked and ready to fire will not kill anything, or person, until someone picks it up and pulls the trigger! therefor, it is the PERSON that pulls the trigger that kills, not the gun! i wish anti-gun people could get this through their thick skull!