Hunting Guns in Homes and Suicides in 15–24–Year-Old Males in Eastern Finland

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between firearm ownership, the presence of guns in homes, the use of psychiatric services and suicides in 15–24–year-old males in Eastern Finland. Method: Police and medico legal records of all suicides (n = 68) performed by 15–24–year-old males in the Kuopio province, Eastern Finland, in 1988–1995 were studied. Information was sought about firearm ownership, legality and purposes of use. Information was also sought about recent contacts with psychiatric services. Firearm suicides were compared with suicides by other methods. Results: The annual suicide rate for 15–24–year-old males was 51/100 000. Sixty-two percent of suicides were committed by shooting. In 74% of these, licensed hunting guns were used. The proportion of suicides committed by legal hunting guns stored in the homes of victims was 60% of all firearm suicides. Sixty-two percent of firearm suicides were committed in homes of victims or in someone else's residence where guns were present. Only 2% of those who shot themselves were seen in psychiatric consultation during the 3 months prior to death. Conclusions: The presence of hunting guns in homes means easy access to a most lethal suicide method and is associated with a high suicide rate for 15–24–year-old males in Eastern Finland.