title: Guns and gender-based violence in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The criminal use of firearms in South Africa is widespread and a major factor in the country having the third-highest homicide rate in the world. Violence is a common feature of South African society. A firearm in the home is a risk factor in intimate partner violence, but this has not been readily demonstrated in South Africa because of a lack of data.
  
  
  METHODS
  We drew on several South African studies including national homicide studies, intimate partner studies, studies with male participants and studies from the justice sector, to discuss the role of gun ownership on gender-based violence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Guns play a significant role in violence against women in South Africa, most notably in the killing of intimate partners. Although the overall homicide data suggest that death by shooting is decreasing, data for intimate partner violence are not readily available. We have no idea if the overall decrease in gunshot homicides applies to women in relationships, and therefore gun control should remain high on the legislative agenda.
authors.affiliation: Gender & Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, W Cape. nabraham@mrc.ac.za
authors.forename: Naeemah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abrahams
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jewkes
authors.forename: Shanaaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathews
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000401:mortality*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality*; D055815:Young Adult