Controlling Firearms use in Australia: has the 1996 gun law Reform Produced the Decrease in Rates of Suicide With This Method?

This study assessed the impact of 1997 legislative restrictions on the incidence of firearm suicide in Queensland & explored alternative or contributory factors behind observed declines. The observed reduction in firearms suicide was initiated prior to the National Firearms Agreement, with a clear decline observed in Australian figures from 1988. No significant difference was found in the rate pre/post introduction of the Agreement in Queensland; however a significant difference was found for Australia data, the quality of which was less satisfactory. A marked age difference in method choice was observed through a cohort analysis demonstrating both time & age influences. (37 refs.) JA