Although firearms are used in 47% of suicides each year, this has not brought about gun control. 82 suicides from 1972 to Feb. 1973 were studied. Firearm suicides accounted 42.6% of the total. Of the 35 firearms used in suicides 23% were originally acquired for other purposes eg. self-protection. A handgun in the home is more likely to kill a family member than to protect. Controlling handguns may be the only way to test the hypothesis that the suicide rate may be lowered.