Mona A. Wright, MPH¹, Garen J. Wintemute, MD, MPH¹, and Michael Romero, MPH². (1) Violence Prevention Research Program, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Western Fairs Bldg, Sacramento, CA 95817, 916/734-3539, mawright@ucdavis.edu, (2) Placer County Health & Human Services, 11484 B Ave, Auburn, CA 95603

During the past two decades in California as gun homicide rates rose and fell, gun suicide remained steady – approximately 2,000 deaths per year. Each year, an average of 118 Californians under 19 years of age commit suicide with a gun. The source of these guns is largely unknown. We will present a descriptive study of 338 firearm suicides occurring in California during 1998 – 2000 to persons under age 25. Information on the event and the gun were obtained from coroner and law enforcement reports. Each firearm will be traced with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine gun ownership. We will identify the relationship of the gun owner to the victim. We expect to see that guns in the home are the leading sources of firearms for youth suicide.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, the particpant will have knowledge of the souce of the gun used by youth who commit suicide. They will have a better understanding of guns in the home and the relation to youth suicide.

Keywords: Suicide, Firearms

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.