Gunshot injuries in Mobile County, Alabama: 1985-1987

Although much information about firearm fatalities has been published, few articles have characterized all types of gunshot victims, the weapons used, and the injuries sustained in a well-defined geopolitical unit. This study of 597 persons sustaining gunshot injuries serious enough to cause death or hospitalization in Mobile County Alabama during 1985-1987, addresses that deficit. The overall rate of these 597 seriously gunshot-injured victims was 53/100,000 population per annum. Of the 597 victims, 215 died, resulting in a rate of 18.9 per 100,000 population per annum. Demographic characteristics of the homicide victims, predominantly young black men, and the suicide victims, predominantly middle-aged and elderly white men, are similar to those reported from other parts of the country. Assault victims accounted for the largest (316) number of victims: again, young black men also constituted the largest demographic group among assault victims. Handguns accounted for 71% of the weapons used. No assault type weapons were employed. Head, neck, and chest wounds led with the greatest fatality rates. Information about nonfatally wounded victims, particularly data about the weapons, proved difficult to obtain. This was one of the many problems encountered in this type of project and, consequently, is discussed at some length. Additional population-based studies using prospective methods and a variety of investigators, including persons knowledgeable of firearms, are needed.