Title: Homicide & Suicide Risks Associated With Firearms in the Home: A Nat'l Case-Control Study

Publication Date: June 2003

What does it say?

This study uses case-control analyses based on data taken from two national samples (the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey and the 1994 National Health Interview survey, the first of their type to ask about gun ownership) to look at whether having a gun in the home is a risk factor for homicide or suicide amongst adults.

The study found that people who keep a gun in the home are almost 2 times more likely to be murdered with a gun and almost 17 times more likely to take their own lives using a firearm.

Findings are consistent with many previous studies: guns in the home are associated with domestic violence and in particular injury or homicide of women at the hands of an intimate partner; for suicide the net effect of having a gun was highest among 18-24 year olds; most victims knew their killer.

One finding that was different from previous studies was that “adults with guns at home were significantly less likely than others to commit suicide with a method other than a gunshot.”

The study concludes that: “adults who have a gun or guns in their home appear at risk to be shot fatally (gun homicide) or to take their own life with a firearm.”

In addition it recommends that: “Physicians should continue to discuss these implications with patients who own guns or have guns at home and to consider how patients might make their environment safer.”

How can I use it?

Nearly half of all homicides and suicides occur in a home and most victims are shot. In order to reduce the number of homicides and suicides that take place in homes in the U.S. it is important to reduce the ready availability of guns and introduce safer storage practices.

Citation

Wiebe, Douglas J. PhD., “Homicide and Suicide Risks Associated With Firearms in the Home: A National Case-Control Study,” Annals of Emergency Medicine 41(6) (2003): 771-782

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