Journal of forensic sciences
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During the years 1980-1992 the Swedish legislation regarding possession and use of firearms has remained fairly unchanged. Simultaneously the reported incidence of both stolen firearms and confiscation of illegally possessed handguns has increased significantly. In order to determine the impact of this trend on gunshot mortality, all victims of firearm fatalities subjected to medicolegal autopsy in the Stockholm area 1980-81 and 1990-91 were studied. ⋯ The perpetrator is likely to be male. Suicidal shots are usually aimed at the head (mouth, temple, forehead) or precordium. Most gunshot suicides are committed by means of legally possessed firearms.