THE IMPACT OF FIREARM CONTROL LEGISLATION ON SUICIDE IN QUEENSLAND - PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

Objective: To examine the effect of specific firearm control legislati on on firearm and overall suicide rates. Design: Retrospective survey of data from the Register of the Suicide Research and Prevention Progr am, Queensland Department of Health. The hypothesis was tested that th e legislation would reduce firearm and overall suicides more in metrop olitan and provincial city areas than in rural areas, where firearm ow nership is higher. Setting: State of Queensland, 1990-1993. Outcome me asures: Suicide rates by age, sex and method for metropolitan, provinc ial city and rural areas in the two years before (1990-1991) and after (1992-1993) legislation. Results: Mean annual firearm suicide rates d eclined significantly (P < 0.05) in metropolitan and provincial city a reas after legislation (from 3.6 to 2.3 per 100000, and from 5.2 to 3. 1 per 100000, respectively), with significant declines among men and i n the 15-29 years age group. Rates increased slightly in rural areas ( from 7.2 to 8.2 per 100000). Overall suicide rates declined in provinc ial areas only, with minimal change in metropolitan areas and a slight rise in rural areas. Conclusion: These results provide preliminary ev idence that firearm control legislation including a 28-day ''cooling-o ff'' period before firearm, purchase, reduces suicide rates, especiall y among younger adult men.