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dc.contributor.authorDudley, Michael
dc.contributor.authorCantor, Christopher
dc.contributor.authorDeMoore, Greg
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-03T16:45:25Z
dc.date.available2017-05-03T16:45:25Z
dc.date.issued1996
dc.identifier.doi10.3109/00048679609065001
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/179724
dc.description.abstractObjectives: The aims of this study were to (i) survey mental health-related correlates of firearms ownership and availability in Australia, and (ii) assess possible causal relationships between civilian gun deaths, gun availability and mental disorders. Method: Available data regarding firearms ownership, injuries and deaths were reviewed as well as studies of (i) gun ownership, suicide and homicide, and (ii) gun control laws and suicide. Results: Findings indicated that 85% of firearm deaths are triggered by distress, as opposed to crime. Most firearm homicides are intrafamilial or involve familiar persons. Firearm suicide rates, athough tapering off in recent years, continue to rise among certain groups. It was also found that: (1) Beyond reasonable doubt, a causal relationship exists between gun ownership and firearm suicides and homicides. The role of method substitution is controversial, but is probably less important among the young. (2) Outside the United States, legislation may be useful in reducing firearm and possibly overall suicide rates. (3) If firearm owners are representative of the community, then 15–20% suffer from a psychiatric disorder at any time. While a modest increase in risk of firearms misuse exists for this group, especially those with a history of substance abuse or violence, concern also arises regarding those with mental disorders who access firearms because owners have not secured them. No uniform definition or way of verifying self-reports exists for gun licence applicants regarding these issues. Conclusions: Further regulation of firearm safety and availability is warranted. Public health measures include improved surveillance regarding firearm events, advocacy for appropriate firearm legislation, and better education and communication about firearms.
dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherBlackwell Science
dc.publisher.placeCarlton, VIC
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom370
dc.relation.ispartofpageto381
dc.relation.ispartofissue3
dc.relation.ispartofjournalAustralian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
dc.relation.ispartofvolume30
dc.subject.fieldofresearchMedical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchPsychology and Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode11
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode17
dc.titleJumping the Gun: Firearms and the Mental Health of Australians
dc.typeJournal article
dc.type.codeC - Journal Articles
gro.facultyGriffith Health, School of Applied Psychology
gro.hasfulltextNo Full Text
gro.griffith.authorCantor, Christopher H.


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