title: Recent firing range suicides in South Australia.
abstract: Two cases are reported from South Australia, where deaths occurred that were due to single self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head in individuals who were visiting indoor firearm ranges. Case 1: A 54-year-old man visiting an indoor firing range placed a .357 magnum handgun to his head and fired one shot. Case 2: A 23-year-old woman who was being instructed in firearm usage at an indoor firing range placed a 9 mm handgun to her head and fired one shot. In both cases, deaths were due to cerebral laceration with skull fracture. Firing ranges may be utilized by individuals who are seeking weapons for suicide attempts, and suicide may be successfully undertaken at such locations even while a victim is under direct supervision. In jurisdictions, where firearm ownership is strictly legislated, it may be that clubs can inadvertently provide access to firearms for this type of activity.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Corinna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van den Heuvel
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Roger W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Byard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*