Gunshot suicides in Victoria, Australia, 1988

A study of the 96 gunshot suicides in Victoria, Australia, in 1988 is presented. Only three of the cases were women, all of whom had a psychiatric history. The suicides were commonly associated with physical or mental ill health, the break up of relationships or contact with police. There was often a history of alcohol related problems and 31% showed evidence of drinking before suicide. The suicides tended to occur without witnesses (90%), at home (73%), often in the bedroom (32%). Handguns were used much less commonly than in other countries, although the distribution of entry wounds was similar. The change of gun ownership laws which occurred in 1988 may be expected to alter the incidence of gunshot suicide in future years.