Data from death certificates for all deaths occurring to California residents from 1977 through 1983 were obtained by a computerized search of the California Master Mortality File. Firearms caused 26,442 deaths among California residents; 2 percent of all deaths in that population. Firearms were the leading cause of intentional death in the State, accounting for 54 percent of all suicides and homicides. Among persons aged 15 to 34, the high-risk group for homicides in California, 65 percent of these deaths were attributable to firearms. Of all suicides, 49 percent were firearm-related; this percentage remained relatively stable across all age groups. The percentage of all firearm deaths attributable to homicide, suicide, or unintentional shootings was related to age as well as race. By emphasizing that firearms are a major public health problem, concerned health professionals can reverse this trend. 14 references