This paper provides a statistical overview of deaths whose underlying cause was reported as being firearm-related in Australia for the year 1998. There were 328 firearm-related deaths, 71.6% were suicides & 17.4% were homicides. Suicide accounted for the most firearm deaths among males & females. The highest rate (per 100,000) of firearm suicide in males occurred in the 65+ age groups, with the highest rate of all among males age 85 or older. Among females, the highest rate of firearm suicide occurred in 25-34-year-olds. (12 refs.)