Firearm Homicide and Firearm Suicide: Opposite but Equal

The purpose of the present study was to compare the occurrence of firearm homicide & firearm suicide using routine activity theory as a framework for analysis. In a sample of 1,025 intentional deaths from firearms (396 homicides & 629 suicides), the authors found that firearm homicide was consistently associated with out-of-home night-time activity in busy neighbourhoods while firearm suicide was consistently associated with in-home, daytime activity in out-of-the-way neighbourhoods. Implications for awareness & prevention are discussed. (81 refs)