Citation

Adler G, Rausch F. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 128.

Affiliation

Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany. adler@zi-mannheim.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16964099

Abstract

There is some controversy whether there is a relationship between firearm availability and the rate of firearm suicides. Most authors assume a positive correlation, because the availability of an easily manageable and effective suicide method may lower the threshold for suicide. In Germany, there are marked regional differences in firearm availability. Until 1989 the general population in the eastern federal states effectively had no access to firearms, whereas firearm availability in the western federal states was similar to western neighbouring countries. Until now, the possession of firearms is much rarer in the east than in the west of Germany. On the other hand, suicide rates in eastern Germany are considerably higher than in western Germany. However, over all federal states we found a fairly high, positive correlation between the rate of firearm owners and the rate of firearm suicides. The same applies, when Germany is compared to neighbouring countries with high or low availability of firearms (Switzerland and The Netherlands). Thus, given similar socioeconomic conditions, a positive correlation between firearm availability and the rate of firearm suicides was confirmed. These findings support the view that a restrictive firearm legislation aiming at low firearm availability is suited to reduce firearm suicides.

Language: en