This study is based on data on gun availability in private households, collected through international victimization surveys of 1989, 1992, & 1996, & World Health Organization data on homicide & suicide from 21 countries. The results show very strong correlations between the presence of guns in the home & suicide committed with a gun, rates of gun-related homicide involving female victims, & gun-related assault. No significant correlations with total suicide or homicide rates were found leving open the question of possible substitution effects. The usual focus on handguns may lead to underestimations of the role of other types of guns. (2 notes, 29 refs.)