Safer storage of firearms at home and risk of suicide: a study of protective factors in a nationally representative sample.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the protective effect of storing firearms locked or unloaded, or both, on the risk of suicide by firearms among people with relatively low intention to die.


METHODS
Cross sectional survey. The 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey of 22 957 deaths in the United States, representing 2.2 million people, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.


METHODS
Decedent's next of kin answered questions regarding various aspects of decedent's life to supplement information from death certificates.


RESULTS
Compared with decedents who stored their firearm unlocked or loaded, those who stored their firearms locked or unloaded, or both, were less likely to commit suicide by firearms (locked: OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.66; unloaded OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.49).


CONCLUSIONS
This study further supports the utility of devices and practices intended to reduce the likelihood of unauthorised or impulsive use of firearms.
Shenassa
Edmond D
ED
Department of Community Health and Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Brown Medical School, One Hoppin Street, Suite 500, Providence, RI 02903, USA. Edmond_Shenassa@Brown.edu
Rogers
Michelle L
ML
Spalding
Kirsten L
KL
Roberts
Mary B
MB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention