Report on the firearms used in 235 suicides in Sacramento County, California, during 1983-85. Handguns were used in 69% of firearm suicides; 65% for males, 88% for females, & in all such deaths among women, ages 35 & older. The authors tested the hypothesis that the choice of firearms by persons committing suicide at home would passively reflect the reported prevalence of firearms by type in households in the region. Handguns were used more often & rifles & shotguns less often than expected.