Joe DZiemianowicz is reporting for the New York Daily News New York's rural counties have the highest rates of gun-related suicide and homicide, according to a new report released June 18. Delaware County had the highest overall rate of gun-related deaths and suicides, based on data from 2012 to 2016. After Delaware County, the next highest rates were in Allegany, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and Sullivan counties. In these counties, the high rates of gun-related death were largely due to the high rate of gun suicide. Erie County reported the highest rate of gun homicide. New York's overall gun-related death rate in 2016 of 4.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, was below the national average of 11.8 deaths per 100,000. The report was published by a coalition of law enforcement officials, public health experts and elected officials who support a proposal to allow teachers and parents to petition judges to remove guns from the homes of troubled students. Read the full story in the New York Daily News.