Firearm Suicides and Homicides in the United States: Regional Variations and Patterns of gun Ownership

The differential impact of gun availability on firearm suicides & homicides in the US was compared in this study. Rates of firearm & nonfirearm suicides & homicides as well as rates of gun ownership for 4 gender-race groups were calculated for 1989-1991. Results indicate that gun ownership has a stronger impact on firearm suicides than homicides even after stratifying by gender & race. Results suggest that decreasing the availability of guns may decrease the risk of firearm-related deaths.