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Changing Times: A Longitudinal Analysis of International Firearm Suicide Data

NCJ Number
216725
Journal
American Journal of Public Health Volume: 96 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 1752-1755
Author(s)
Vladeta Ajdacic-Gross Ph.D.; Martin Killias Ph.D.; Urs Hepp M.D.; Erika Gadola M.A.; Matthias Bopp M.D.; Christoph Lauber M.D.; Ulrich Schnyder M.D.; Felix Gutzwiller M.D.; Wulf Rossler M.D.
Date Published
October 2006
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed trends in firearm suicides in Western countries since the 1980s, with a focus on how firearm suicide rates related to the change in the proportion of households owning firearms.
Abstract
The results of this study and previous studies suggest that legislative and regulatory measures that reduce the availability of firearms are a promising component to suicide prevention strategies. The analysis revealed declines in firearm suicide rates in several countries: Norway, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. On the other hand, firearm suicides increased in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. The analysis further revealed that the proportion of households owning firearms in each country was significantly related to the proportion of firearm suicides in those countries. This finding is bolstered by previous research that has indicated that firearm suicides depend on the availability of the method more than any other type of suicide. Moreover, individual-level data has revealed that suicidal individuals may change their mind when their suicidal impulse meets with obstacles, such as the inability to gain a firearm. Data on international firearm suicides over different time periods were drawn from a variety of western countries. The analysis examined whether changes in the proportion of households owning firearms were associated with changes in legislation and regulatory measures and whether these legislative changes were in turn related to declines in firearm suicides. Tables, references