• Rani A Desai, David Dausey, and Robert A Rosenheck.
• Northeast Program Evaluation Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry and Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
• Mil Med. 2008 Aug 1;173(8):721-8.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore correlates of the use of firearms to commit suicide.MethodsA national sample of psychiatric patients discharged from Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers was followed from the time of discharge until December 1999. The study explores state-level measures as correlates of overall suicide and suicide by firearm, controlling for individual sociodemographic characteristics and psychiatric diagnosis. The outcomes of interest were completed suicide and suicide by firearm.ResultsPatients who were male, Caucasian, and who had a diagnosis of substance abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder were significantly more likely to use a firearm than another means to commit suicide. Multivariable models indicated that veterans living in states with lower rates of gun ownership, more restrictive gun laws, and higher social capital were less likely to commit suicide with a firearm.ConclusionsGun ownership rates, legislation, and levels of community cohesiveness are significantly associated with the likelihood of psychiatric patients committing suicide with a gun.

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