Suicide Rates in Canada before and after Tightening Firearm Control Laws

1993 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 787-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lester ◽  
Antoon Leenaars
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Control Laws ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Firearm Suicide ◽  
Firearm Control ◽  
Methods Of Suicide

In Canada, Bill C-51 was implemented in 1977 to restrict the use of firearms, providing a good opportunity to study the effects of gun control laws in the use of firearms for suicide. The present study examined the use of guns for suicide during the period prior to the bill and during the period after the passing of Bill C-51 to assess the association of the bill with suicide rates. Analysis showed a significant decreasing trend after passage of Bill C-51 on the firearm suicide rate in Canada and the percentage of suicides using firearms. The analysis supports the position that restricting easy access to lethal methods of suicide may assist in reducing suicide.

The Association between Firearm Control Policies and Firearm Suicide among Men: A State-Level Age-Stratified Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-258
Author(s):  
Carol Leung ◽  
Mark S Kaplan ◽  
Ziming Xuan
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
State Level ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Firearm Suicide ◽  
Firearm Control

Abstract This study examined the association between state-specific firearm control policies and firearm suicide rates among men after adjusting for state-level demographics. This cross-sectional study used state-level mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System and the Brady Campaign State Scorecard in 2017. An age-stratified (15–24 years, 25–44 years, 45–64 years, and ≥ 65 years) multivariable analysis was conducted to identify gun control policies that are associated with firearm suicide rates among men in each age group. Results indicate that the associations of specific firearm control policies and firearm suicide rates differ across the age span. In particular, more policies (for example, dealer regulations and waiting periods) are negatively associated with firearm suicide rate among men 15 to 24 years of age. The findings underscore the importance of designing gender- and age-specific policy advocacy programs directed at lowering the rate of firearm suicide. This study also suggests that California, known for its innovative gun safety legislation efforts, could serve as a model for other states starting preventive programs to reduce the firearm suicide rate. Implications of the findings for social work practice are discussed.

Jumping the Gun: Firearms and the Mental Health of Australians

1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Dudley ◽  
Chris Cantor ◽  
Greg de Moore
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Reasonable Doubt ◽  
Gun Ownership ◽  
Control Laws ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Firearm Suicide ◽  
Method Substitution

Objectives: The aims of this study were to (i) survey mental health-related correlates of firearms ownership and availability in Australia, and (ii) assess possible causal relationships between civilian gun deaths, gun availability and mental disorders. Method: Available data regarding firearms ownership, injuries and deaths were reviewed as well as studies of (i) gun ownership, suicide and homicide, and (ii) gun control laws and suicide. Results: Findings indicated that 85% of firearm deaths are triggered by distress, as opposed to crime. Most firearm homicides are intrafamilial or involve familiar persons. Firearm suicide rates, athough tapering off in recent years, continue to rise among certain groups. It was also found that: (1) Beyond reasonable doubt, a causal relationship exists between gun ownership and firearm suicides and homicides. The role of method substitution is controversial, but is probably less important among the young. (2) Outside the United States, legislation may be useful in reducing firearm and possibly overall suicide rates. (3) If firearm owners are representative of the community, then 15–20% suffer from a psychiatric disorder at any time. While a modest increase in risk of firearms misuse exists for this group, especially those with a history of substance abuse or violence, concern also arises regarding those with mental disorders who access firearms because owners have not secured them. No uniform definition or way of verifying self-reports exists for gun licence applicants regarding these issues. Conclusions: Further regulation of firearm safety and availability is warranted. Public health measures include improved surveillance regarding firearm events, advocacy for appropriate firearm legislation, and better education and communication about firearms.

Firearms and Suicide in Australia

1990 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 500-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Cantor ◽  
Terry Lewin
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Firearm Suicide ◽  
Proportional Increase ◽  
Using Data

Australia has a moderate overall suicide rate but an extremely high male firearm suicide rate. Using data covering the years 1961–1985, a series of multiple regression based analyses were performed. During this period, overall suicide rates fell but firearm suicides remained constant with a resulting increase in the proportion of suicides by firearms. There has been an increase in suicides in the young offset by a decline in the elderly. Young males showed the greatest proportional increase in the use of firearms. A limited regional analysis supported the hypothesis that lack of legislative restrictions on long guns in Queensland with a greater household prevalence of such weapons and different cultural attitudes were associated with higher overall and firearm suicide rates. Such findings are consistent with reports from North America, although trends in Australia are more modest. Reducing the availability and cultural acceptance of firearms is likely to decrease suicide rates, especially in males.

scholarly journals Trends in Suicide Mortality in Montenegro From 2000 to 2018

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidija Injac Stevović ◽  
Selman Repišti ◽  
Tamara Radojičić ◽  
Olivera Injac
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Unemployment Rate ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Average Salary ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Methods Of Suicide ◽  
Cultural Features

Abstract Background: This is an ecological study that analyzes suicides committed in Montenegro during the 2000-2018 period, taking into account gender, age and methods of suicide. Methods: Suicide rates and trends up until 2009 were obtained from the official registers of Bureau of Statistics of Montenegro (MONSTAT) while the later data were obtained from the Department of Interior’s. MONSTAT also provided data on unemployment and average salary. As per statistical methods, descriptive and correlations were calculated. Results: The average crude suicide rate was 21.06, for males 29.93 and for females 12.42. Crude suicide rates were not associated with unemployment rate or average salary. However, the unemployment rate was significantly correlated with lethal methods of suicide, namely suicide by firearm and by hanging. Average net salary was negatively correlated with suicide by firearm. Conclusions: The ratio of males and females who committed suicide was 2.41. In the last three years, this ratio continues to rise in favor of males (reaching 4.29 in 2018). This could be explained by specific cultural features where males are expected to be the main financial contributors to the households. The labor market of Montenegro does not offer adequate opportunities to set and maintain a stable economic situation which puts additional pressure and stress on males.

Firearm suicide in Queensland

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Tait ◽  
Belinda Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Elderly Men ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Firearm Suicide ◽  
History Of ◽  
Methods Of Suicide ◽  
Very High

The purpose of this article is to examine firearm suicide in Queensland. In 2006, statistical data were gathered from all closed paper coronial files for the 12-month period of December 2003—December 2004. Of the 567 people who committed suicide in Queensland during this period, 48 (8.5%) used firearms. The following results emerge from this data: first, gun suicides are continuing to decrease in Queensland, most likely as a function of ongoing gun controls, a decrease accompanied by a lesser increase in other methods of suicide, thereby providing little support for substitution theory; second, men continue to be more likely to shoot themselves, particularly elderly men; third, firearms are more likely to be used in rural settings, and by those with no known history of mental illness or previous suicide attempts. Finally, in spite of otherwise very high suicide rates, Aborigines rarely employ firearms, using instead the culturally significant method of hanging.

scholarly journals Have Gun Control Laws Changed Since Newtown?

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-119
Author(s):  
AnnaClare C. Smith ◽  
Anna M. Van Kula ◽  
Greer M. Howard ◽  
Paul M. Sommers
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
State Legislature ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Control Laws ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Party Control ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Gun Laws ◽  
Using Data ◽  
One Year

Using data issued by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the authors examine the strength of statewide firearm laws across the United States one year before and after the 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.  Regressions fitted to the cross-section of all states in 2011 and 2013 show how Brady Scores differ across census divisions after allowing for statewide differences in firearm death rates and political party control of the state legislature.  In the aftermath of Newtown, gun laws have either not changed or in census divisions where they have significantly changed, they have become less restrictive.

Gun Control Law (BILL C-17), Suicide, and Homicide in Canada

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 819-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Stephen Bridges
Keyword(s):  
Gun Control ◽  
Control Law ◽  
Control Laws ◽  
Firearm Control ◽  
Method Analysis ◽  
Lethal Means ◽  
Comprehensive Studies

Canadian Bill C-17 was implemented in 1991 to restrict the use of firearms, providing a chance to investigate the effect of firearm control laws in the use of firearms for suicide and homicide. Following Lester and Leenaars' comprehensive studies, the present study examined the use of firearms for suicide and homicide during the period prior to the bill and during the period after the passing of Bill C-17 to assess the association of the bill with rates of suicide and homicide by method. Analysis showed a significant decrease after passage of Bill C-17 in the rates of suicides and homicides involving firearms and the percentage of suicides using firearms. The analysis provides support for the position that restricting the availability of firearms as a lethal means of committing suicide and homicide may help reduce the numbers of suicides and homicides.

scholarly journals Trends in suicide mortality in Montenegro from 2000 to 2018

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidija Injac Stevović ◽  
Selman Repišti ◽  
Tamara Radojičić ◽  
Olivera Injac
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Unemployment Rate ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Average Salary ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Methods Of Suicide ◽  
Cultural Features

Abstract Background This is an ecological study that analyzes suicides committed in Montenegro during the 2000–2018 period, taking into account gender, age and methods of suicide. Methods Suicide rates and trends up until 2009 were obtained from the official registers of Bureau of Statistics of Montenegro (MONSTAT) while the later data were obtained from the Department of Interior’s. MONSTAT also provided data on unemployment and average salary. As per statistical methods, descriptive and correlations were calculated. Results The average crude suicide rate was 21.06, for males 29.93 and for females 12.42. Crude suicide rates were not associated with unemployment rate or average salary. However, the unemployment rate was significantly correlated with lethal methods of suicide, namely suicide by firearm and by hanging. Average net salary was negatively correlated with suicide by firearm. Conclusions The ratio of males and females who committed suicide was 2.41. In the last three years, this ratio continues to rise in favor of males (reaching 4.29 in 2018). This could be explained by specific cultural features where males are expected to be the main financial contributors to the households. The labor market of Montenegro does not offer adequate opportunities to set and maintain a stable economic situation which puts additional pressure and stress on males.

The effect of gun control laws on suicide rates

1984 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Sommers
Keyword(s):  
Gun Control ◽  
Control Laws ◽  
Suicide Rates
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