Guns and suicide: possible effects of some specific legislation

Article Abstract:

A large number of suicides, particularly by men, are accomplished with guns. The use of guns by both men and women, especially in the younger age groups, to commit suicide has increased over the past decades. One goal of gun legislation was to reverse this increase. In 1978 Canadian law made it harder for citizens to own guns, especially handguns, which were virtually forbidden. More restrictions applied to people with psychiatric histories or criminal convictions because of a presumed inclination toward violence. There was also a nationwide attempt to teach how to safely use and store guns, and all unregistered guns were required to be turned in. Changes in suicide rates five years after this enactment were assessed in two Canadian cities. Since California also has a limited gun control law, which focuses on people with particular psychiatric histories, suicide methods used in San Diego between 1981 and 1983 were also studied. The average number of suicides and the methods used for the five years before and after the passage of the 1978 Canadian law were determined. There were no significant changes in the total suicide rates for Toronto or Ontario in the two five-year periods. The number of suicides by shooting in Toronto fell significantly after 1978, with a significant increase in suicide by leaping during this same time period. These findings suggest the substitution hypothesis, that people who are determined to commit suicide will do so with whatever method is available to them. The authors therefore suggest that a productive approach to the problem of suicide lies in identifying suicidal people and effectively treating their underlying psychiatric problems. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Laws, regulations and rules, Firearms, Gun laws, Gun control

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Should physician-assisted suicide be legalized? A challenge for the 21st century

Article Abstract:

Legalizing physician-assisted suicide would put society on a slippery slope which might eventually result in the death of the mentally and physically handicapped becoming legal. There needs to be a debate involving such professions as sociologists and the clergy on whether youth and efficiency are necessary to make life worth living. Perhaps suffering has meaning too and physicians should promise not to abandon suffering and dying patients rather than having the unrealistic aim of eliminating all suffering.

Assisted suicide, Ethical aspects, Euthanasia

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Souvenirs to remember and meditate

Article Abstract:

Suicide prevention advocate Erwin Ringel advanced new beliefs and philosophies in suicidology. Ringel argued that suicide prevention is a matter of valuing human life and respecting human beings. He believed that the declining importance given to human life is a joint responsibility of all people. In addition, Ringle criticized the concept of rational suicide and its advocates.

Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Ringel, Erwin

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