Captive bolt guns and suicides: a 15-year Swedish retrospective study

The captive bolt gun is a tool for stunning animals in the meat industry and is not considered a firearm under the Swedish firearm legislation. This study aimed to explore the involvement of such devices in human fatalities, with an emphasis on suicides. Epidemiological characteristics from a longitudinal perspective, as well as risk factors and injury patterns were analyzed.

Suicides involving captive bolt guns in Sweden 2009-2023 were studied. Data, including demographics, circumstances of the incident, and autopsy reports, were collected from the National Board of Forensic Medicine.

During the 15-year study period, there were 39 suicides involving captive bolt guns, accounting for an annual average of 2.6 suicides, or 0.3 suicides/1,000,000 living people. The incidence was relatively stable over the period. The county-level suicide rate increased with decreasing population density. Older males with mental health issues represented a high-risk group. Four cases were complex suicides, and in two cases, a victim sustained two separate bolt gun injuries in consecutive attempts. Injuries caused by modern captive bolt guns exhibited typical characteristics and could be distinguished from those involving older devices with projectiles. Brain injuries predominated as cause of death.

Suicides involving captive bolt guns are rare. Older males in rural areas, especially those with mental health issues and access to such devices, represented a high-risk group. Since access to these devices is unrestricted, prevention efforts should address individual risk factors, restriction of means and systemic measures aimed at promoting better mental health in rural communities.