Who uses firearms as a means of suicide? A population study exploring firearm accessibility and method choice

BMC Medicine

Volumn 7, Issue , 2009, Pages 52-

  Klieve, Helen ^a   Sveticic, Jerneja ^a   De Leo, Diego ^a  

^a GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY   (Australia)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ADULT; AGED; ARTICLE; AUSTRALIA; CONTROLLED STUDY; FEMALE; FIREARM; HANGING; HIGH RISK POPULATION; HUMAN; LEGAL ASPECT; MAJOR CLINICAL STUDY; MALE; POPULATION RESEARCH; REGISTER; RURAL AREA; SEX DIFFERENCE; SUICIDE; MIDDLE AGED; RISK FACTOR; STATISTICS;

ADULT; AGED; FEMALE; FIREARMS; HUMANS; MIDDLE AGED; QUEENSLAND; RISK FACTORS; SUICIDE; YOUNG ADULT;

EID: 70350702875     PISSN: None     EISSN: 17417015     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-7-52     Document Type: Article

References (52)

1. Ajdacic-Gross V, Killias M, Hepp U, Gadola E, Bopp M, Lauber C, Schnyder U, Gutzwiller F, Rössler W. Changing times: a longitudinal analysis of international firearm suicide data. Am J Public Health 2006, 96:1752-1755. 10.2105/AJPH.2005.075812, 1586136, 16946021.
2. Beautrais AL, Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ. Firearms legislation and reductions in firearm-related suicide deaths in New Zealand. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2006, 40:253-259. 10.1111/j.1440-1614.2006.01782.x, 16476153.
3. Kapusta ND, Etzersdorfer E, Krall C, Sonneck G. Firearm legislation reform in the European Union: impact on firearm availability, firearm suicide and homicide rates in Austria. Br J Psychiatry 2007, 191:253-257. 10.1192/bjp.bp.106.032862, 17766767.
4. Lambert MT, Silva PS. An update on the impact of gun control legislation on suicide. Psychiatr Q 1998, 69:127-134. 10.1023/A:1024714619938, 9627930.
5. Mann JJ, Apter A, Bertolote J, Beautrais A, Currier D, Haas A, Hegerl U, Lonnqvist J, Malone K, Marusic A, Mehlum L, Patton G, Phillips M, Rutz W, Rihmer Z, Schmidtke A, Shaffer D, Silverman M, Takahashi Y, Varnik A, Wasserman D, Yip P, Hendin H. Suicide prevention strategies: a systematic review. JAMA 2005, 294:2064-2074. 10.1001/jama.294.16.2064, 16249421.
6. Ozanne-Smith J, Ashby K, Newstead S, Stathakis VZ, Clapperton A. Firearm related deaths: the impact of regulatory reform. Inj Prev 2004, 10:280-286. 10.1136/ip.2003.004150, 1730132, 15470007.
7. Klieve H, Barnes M, De Leo D. Controlling firearms use in Australia: has the 1996 gun law reform produced the decrease in rates of suicide with this method?. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2009, 44:285-292. 10.1007/s00127-008-0435-9, 18839044.
8. Lester D. Preventing suicide by restricting access to methods for suicide. Arch Suicide Res 1998, 4:7-24.
9. Hemenway D, Azrael D, Miller M. Gun use in the United States: results from two national surveys. Inj Prev 2000, 6:263-267. 10.1136/ip.6.4.263, 1730664, 11144624.
10. Powell KE, Jacklin BC, Nelson DE, Bland S. State estimates of household exposure to firearms, loaded firearms, and handguns, 1991 through 1995. Am J Public Health 1998, 88:969-972. 10.2105/AJPH.88.6.969, 1508237, 9618633.
11. Cummings P, Koepsell TD, Grossman DC, Savarino J, Thompson RS. The association between the purchase of a handgun and homicide or suicide. Am J Public Health 1997, 87:974-978. 10.2105/AJPH.87.6.974, 1380933, 9224179.
12. Duggan M. Guns and suicide. Evaluating guns policy: effects on crime and violence 2003, 41-73. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, Ludwig J, Cook PJ.
13. Lester D. Gun ownership and suicide in the United States. Psychol Med 1989, 19:519-21. 10.1017/S0033291700012551, 2788293.
14. Ikeda RM, Dahlberg LL, Kresnow MJ, Sacks JJ, Mercy JA. Studying 'exposure' to firearms: household ownership vs. access. Inj Prev 2003, 9:53-57. 10.1136/ip.9.1.53, 1730925, 12642560.
15. Smith TW. National Gun Policy Survey of the National Opinion Research Center: Research findings 2001, Chicago: National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago.
16. Bricknell S, Mouzos J. Firearms theft in Australia 2005-06. Research and public policy series (No. 82) 2007, Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.
17. Beautrais AL, Joyce PR, Mulder RT. Access to firearms and the risk of suicide: a case control study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 1996, 30:741-748. 10.3109/00048679609065040, 9034462.
18. Killias M. International correlations between gun ownership and rates of homicide and suicide. CMAJ 1993, 148:1721-1725. 1485564, 8485675.
19. Brent DA, Perper JA, Allman CJ, Moritz GM, Wartella ME, Zelenak JP. The presence and accessibility of firearms in the homes of adolescent suicides: A case-control study. JAMA 1991, 266:2989-2995. 10.1001/jama.266.21.2989, 1820470.
20. Kellermann AL, Rivara FP, Somes G, Reay DT, Francisco J, Banton JG, Prodzinski J, Fligner C, Hackman BB. Suicide in the home in relation to gun ownership. N Engl J Med 1992, 327:467-472.
21. Miller M, Azrael D, Hemenway D. Household firearms ownership and suicide rates in the United States. Epidemiology 2002, 13:517-524. 10.1097/00001648-200209000-00006, 12192220.
22. Miller M, Lippmann SJ, Azrael D, Hemenway D. Household firearm ownership and rates of suicide across the 50 US States. J Trauma 2007, 62:1029-1034. 10.1097/01.ta.0000198214.24056.40, 17426563.
23. Wiebe DJ. Homicide and suicide risks associated with firearms in the home: a national case-control study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2003, 41:771-782. 1763337, 12764330.
24. Birckmayer J, Hemenway D. Suicide and firearm prevalence: are youth disproportionately affected?. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2001, 31:303-310. 10.1521/suli.31.3.303.24243, 11577914.
25. Miller M, Azrael D, Hepburn L, Hemenway D, Lippmann SJ. The association between changes in household firearm ownership and rates of suicide in the United States, 1981-2002. Inj Prev 2006, 12:178-182. 10.1136/ip.2005.010850, 2563517, 16751449.
26. Ludwig J, Cook PJ. Homicide and suicide rates associated with implementation of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. JAMA 2000, 284:585-591. 10.1001/jama.284.5.585, 10918704.
27. Conner KR, Zhong Y. State firearm laws and rates of suicide in men and women. Am J Prev Med 2003, 25:320-324. 10.1016/S0749-3797(03)00212-5, 14580634.
28. Wilkinson D, Gunnell D. Youth suicide trends in Australian metropolitan and non- Metropolitan areas, 1988-1997. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2000, 34:822-828. 10.1046/j.1440-1614.2000.00812.x, 11037369.
29. Kreitman N. The coal gas story: United Kingdom suicide rates, 1960-71. Br J Prev Soc Med 1976, 30:86-93. 478945, 953381.
30. Beautrais AL. Effectiveness of barriers at suicide jumping sites: a case study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2001, 35:557-562. 10.1080/0004867010060501, 11551268.
31. De Leo D, Dwyer J, Firman D, Neulinger K. Trends in hanging and firearm suicide rates in Australia: substitution of method?. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2003, 33:151-164. 10.1521/suli.33.2.151.22775, 12882416.
32. De Leo D, Evans R, Neulinger K. Hanging, firearm, and non-domestic gas suicides among males: a comparative study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2002, 36:183-189. 10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.01013.x, 11982538.
33. De Moore GM, Robertson AR. Suicide attempts by firearms and by leaping from heights: a comparative study of survivors. Am J Psychiatry 1999, 156:1425-1431.
34. Fischer EP, Comstock GW, Monk MA, Sencer DJ. Characteristics of completed suicides: implications of differences among methods. Suicide Life Threat Behav 1993, 23:91-100.
35. Cantor C, Baume P. Access to methods of suicide: what impact?. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 1998, 32:8-14. 10.3109/00048679809062700, 9565178.
36. Clarke RV, Lester D. Suicide: closing the exits 1989, New York: Springer-Verlag.
37. Chapman S, Alpers P, Agho K, Jones M. Australia's 1996 gun law reforms: faster falls in firearm deaths, firearm suicides, and a decade without mass shootings. Inj Prev 2006, 12:365-372. 10.1136/ip.2006.013714, 17170183.
38. De Leo D, Klieve H, Milner A. Suicide in Queensland, 2002-2004: Mortality rates and related data 2006, Brisbane: Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention.
39. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare State and territories GRIM (general record of the incidence of mortality) books 2005, Canberra: AIHW.
40. Department of Health and Aged Care Measuring remoteness: accessibility/remoteness index of Australia (ARIA), revised edition 2001, Occasional Papers: New Series No. 14. Canberra: DHSC.
41. Kirkwood BR, Sterne JAC. Essential medical statistics 2003, Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2.
42. Conwell Y, Duberstein PR, Connor K, Eberly S, Cox C, Caine ED. Access to firearms and risk for suicide in middle-aged and older adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2002, 10:407-416.
43. Wintemute GJ, Parham CA, Beaumont JJ, Wright M, Drake C. Mortality among recent purchasers of handguns. N Engl J Med 1999, 341:1583-1589. 10.1056/NEJM199911183412106, 10564689.
44. Sorenson SB, Vittes KA. Mental health and firearms in community-based surveys. Implications for suicide prevention. Eval Rev 2008, 32:239-256. 10.1177/0193841X08315871, 18456876.
45. Hemenway D, Miller M. Association of rates of household handgun ownership, lifetime major depression, and serious suicidal thoughts with rates of suicide across US census regions. Inj Prev 2002, 8:313-316. 10.1136/ip.8.4.313, 1756560, 12460969.
46. Hendrix PN. Gun ownership: cultural or situational?. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Atlanta, Georgia 2007, , http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p207064_index.html
47. Miller K, Burns C. Suicides on farms in South Australia, 1997-2001. Aust J Rural Health 2008, 16:327-331. 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2008.01011.x, 19032203.
48. Page AN, Fragar LJ. Suicide in Australian farming, 1988-1997. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2002, 36:81-85. 10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.00975.x, 11929442.
49. Booth N, Briscoe M, Powell R. Suicide in the farming community: methods used and contact with health services. Occup Environ Med 2000, 57:642-644. 10.1136/oem.57.9.642, 1740021, 10935946.
50. Gunnell D, Middleton N, Fraenkel S. Method availability and the prevention of suicide - a re-analysis of secular trends in England and Wales 1950-1975. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2000, 35:437-443. 10.1007/s001270050261, 11127717.
51. Australian Bureau of Statistics Information paper: external causes of death, data quality, 2005. Cat. 3317.0.55.001. Canberra 2007,
52. De Leo D. Suicide mortality data needs revisions. Med J Aust 2007, 186:157.