Objective: Few injury reporting systems have population-based firearm suicide data. We compared firearm suicides in the elderly and young and in urban/rural populations to determine differences in the circumstances, firearms and ownership/storage practices.
Methods: Reviewed 1999 medical examiner/coroner and police records in all Wisconsin counties (12 urban/62 rural) (n=270).
Results: Urban (n=139) and rural (n=131) suicide victims were predominately male (92.8%, 91.6%); all victims age 20-24 (young, n=27) and 70+ (elderly, n=43) were male. When known, 73% of young and 27% of elderly had a history of alcohol abuse (p=.009), as did 38% of urban and 57% of rural victims (p=.026). Forty-seven percent of young and 3% of elderly had a history of treatment/abuse of other drugs (p<.001). Seventy-two percent of elderly and no young victims had physical illness (p<.001). Fifty-three percent of urban victims used handguns, 27% shotguns, and 19% rifles, versus rural: 39%, 31%, 31% respectively (p=.037). Overall, 25% (n=26) of guns with information were stored locked and 32% (n=18) loaded. Among victims under age 21 (n=27) (access to handguns is restricted), 44.4% used a handgun; among handguns with information (n=10) 80% were stored unlocked. Fifty-six percent of young and 97% of the elderly owned the gun (p<.001).
Conclusions: Firearm suicides differ by urban/rural location and age group. Physical illness and gun ownership are higher for elderly; drug/alcohol abuse is greater for young victims. Urban victims have a lower incidence of alcohol abuse and greater handgun use than rural. Prevention strategies including firearm access should be age-specific and geographically sensitive.
See www.mcw.edu/ficLearning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation the participant will be able to (1) Recognize the importance of local population based-firearm fatality data and (2) Identify significant differences in suicide circumstances, firearm usage, and ownership/storage practices for elderly and young victims and those living in urban and rural settings.
Keywords: Firearms, Suicide
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Medical College of Wisconsin
Department of Emergency Medicine
Firearm Injury Center
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.