To test the strength of the association between the availability of firearms & suicide, all suicides that took place in the victims’ homes in Shelby County, Tennessee & King County, Washington were studied. Of 803 suicides, 565 took place in the home – 326 of these were committed with a firearm. After controlling for other variables, the presence of 1 or more guns in the home was found to be associated with an increased risk of suicide. (36 refs.)