Is the inc. in suicide due to the inc. in the ownership of handguns (HG)? Regression analyses showed a strong relationship btwn HG ownership & the rate of gun suicides but not btwn HG ownership & the overall rate of suicide. Results support the hypothesis that the rise in HG has led to an inc. in gun suicides but does not support 2 competing hypotheses, 1) that more people now commit suicide because there are more HG avail. & 2) that people who would have used another method now use guns.