Hunting Guns in Homes and Suicides in 15-24-Year-Old Males in Eastern Finland

Police & medicolegal records of all 68 suicides among 15-24-year-old males in the Kuopio province of Finland from 1988-1995 were studied. Information was collected on firearm ownership, legality, & purposes of use, & recent contact with psychiatric services. Firearm suicides were compared to suicides by other methods. The annual suicide rate for 15-24-year-old males was 51/100,000. 62% were committed with firearms. In 74% of these, licensed hunting guns were used. 62% of firearm suicides were committed in homes of victims or in someone else’s residence where guns were present. Only 2% of those who shot themselves were seen in psychiatric consultation during the 3 months prior to death. (27 refs.)