Abstract
We reviewed the available data on firearm-related injuries in Canada to suggest strategies for prevention in the context of the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code (Bill C-17) currently before Parliament. The risk of death from a firearm in Canada is equivalent to the risk of death from a motor vehicle crash. We discuss the risks associated with firearms with regard to suicides, homicides and "accidents." We also discuss the accessibility of firearms. This article builds upon a recently published update on the epidemiologic basis of the public health approach for the prevention of firearm-related injuries and deaths. The key to the etiologic approach to preventing such injuries and deaths is to view the incidents, regardless of their medicolegal circumstances, as having one factor in common: the discharge of a firearm.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Baker S. P. Without guns, do people kill people? Am J Public Health. 1985 Jun;75(6):587–588. doi: 10.2105/ajph.75.6.587. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Beneteau R. Trends in suicide. Can Soc Trends. 1988;(11):22–24. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Haddon W., Jr The changing approach to the epidemiology, prevention, and amelioration of trauma: the transition to approaches etiologically rather than descriptively based. Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1968 Aug;58(8):1431–1438. doi: 10.2105/ajph.58.8.1431. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hedeboe J., Charles A. V., Nielsen J., Grymer F., Møller B. N., Møller-Madson B., Jensen S. E. Interpersonal violence: patterns in a Danish community. Am J Public Health. 1985 Jun;75(6):651–653. doi: 10.2105/ajph.75.6.651. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kellermann A. L., Lee R. K., Mercy J. A., Banton J. The epidemiologic basis for the prevention of firearm injuries. Annu Rev Public Health. 1991;12:17–40. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pu.12.050191.000313. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kellermann A. L., Reay D. T. Protection or peril? An analysis of firearm-related deaths in the home. N Engl J Med. 1986 Jun 12;314(24):1557–1560. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198606123142406. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Shanon A., Feldman W. Serious childhood injuries caused by air guns. CMAJ. 1991 Mar 15;144(6):723–725. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Shuck L. W., Orgel M. G., Vogel A. V. Self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the face: a review of 18 cases. J Trauma. 1980 May;20(5):370–377. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sloan J. H., Kellermann A. L., Reay D. T., Ferris J. A., Koepsell T., Rivara F. P., Rice C., Gray L., LoGerfo J. Handgun regulations, crime, assaults, and homicide. A tale of two cities. N Engl J Med. 1988 Nov 10;319(19):1256–1262. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198811103191905. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sloan J. H., Rivara F. P., Reay D. T., Ferris J. A., Kellermann A. L. Firearm regulations and rates of suicide. A comparison of two metropolitan areas. N Engl J Med. 1990 Feb 8;322(6):369–373. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199002083220605. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wintemute G. J., Teret S. P., Kraus J. F., Wright M. A., Bradfield G. When children shoot children. 88 unintended deaths in California. JAMA. 1987 Jun 12;257(22):3107–3109. doi: 10.1001/jama.257.22.3107. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wintemute G. J., Teret S. P., Kraus J. F., Wright M. W. The choice of weapons in firearm suicides. Am J Public Health. 1988 Jul;78(7):824–826. doi: 10.2105/ajph.78.7.824. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]