Suicide by Gunshot in the United Kingdom: a Review of the Literature

This paper reviews the literature on gunshot suicide in the United Kingdom & the international literature with reference to prevention strategies. Trends in gun ownership & changes in firearm legislation in the United Kingdom over the previous 20 years are described. Over the past 20 years, the number of gunshot suicides in the United Kingdom has declined by over 50% to a little over a hundred deaths per annum. At the same time, firearm legislation has become progressively more restrictive & rates of gun ownership have declined. Measures which might further reduce the prevalence of gunshot suicides are discussed. (47 refs.)