Changes in Suicide Methods in Quebec between 1987 and 2000: The Possible Impact of Bill C‐17 Requiring Safe Storage of Firearms

Abstract

This study presents the changes in the overall and firearm suicide rates for Québec (Canada) before and after Bill C-17, which was implemented to secure safe storage of firearms. It covers 20,009 suicide cases reported to the coroner's office. Interrupted time series analysis is used to compare suicide rates in the two periods. Firearm suicide rates have dropped among males and females, but the downward trends were not significant when compared to those prior to the law. Hanging suicide rates have risen considerably among men and women, but those upward trends did not increase significantly when compared with those preceding the law. The decline in suicide rates involving firearms has not resulted in a parallel decline in overall suicide rates. The analyses suggest that Bill C-17 neither improved the downward trend in firearm suicide, which had already begun before the enactment of the law, nor reduced the upward trend of the overall suicide rate. Correlation analyses between firearm suicide, hanging suicide, and the overall suicide rate suggest that firearm suicide is replaced by hanging suicide among males.

Firearms regulation and declining rates of male suicide in Quebec

“…Caron et al 9 concluded that the enactment of Bill C-17 in 1991 did not contribute to a decrease in the total suicide rate, nor had a significant impact on suicide by firearms. However, our findings based on a different statistical approach do not support these conclusions.…”

“…Caron et al 9 attempted to assess changes in the total suicide and firearm suicide rates before and after firearms regulations (Bill C-17) through the use of an interrupted time-series, a well-known technique for evaluating interventions 10. Their results suggested that regulation neither contributed to the downward trend in firearm suicides, nor reduced the upward trend in the total suicide rate 9. However, the period examined in their study was limited and they failed to take account of the fact that regulations are implemented gradually and compliance is not immediate.…”

Firearm-Related Injuries Affecting the Pediatric Population

“…25,26 Data concerning the effects of laws restricting firearm ownership show varying results. [27][28][29] Interestingly, laws reducing child access, which primarily requires safe storage, appear to be associated with lower overall adolescent suicide rates, whereas purchase restrictions did not result in this reduction. 29 Other studies have established the finding that safe storage of firearms reduces the risk of adolescent suicide.…”

Évolution du suicide au Québec

“…La plupart des auteurs ont signalé une hausse de la pendaison (Brock et Griffiths, 2003 ;Caron, 2004 ;Caron et al, 2008 ;De Leo et al, 2003 ;Langley et al, 2000 ;Stark et al, 2004), généralement conjuguée à une diminution des suicides attribuables à une arme à feu (Caron, 2004 ;Caron et al, 2008 ;De Leo et al, 2003 ;Langley et al, 2000 ;Stark et al, 2004) ou encore à une intoxication (Brock et Griffiths, 2003). Les différentes dispositions législatives mises en place par le gouvernement fédéral au cours des 25 dernières années afin de restreindre l'accès aux armes à feu ont peutêtre obtenu les effets escomptés.…”

“…Les différentes dispositions législatives mises en place par le gouvernement fédéral au cours des 25 dernières années afin de restreindre l'accès aux armes à feu ont peutêtre obtenu les effets escomptés. Certains ont toutefois suggéré que la diminution des suicides par armes à feu se voyait compensée par une augmentation des suicides par pendaison (Caron et al, 2008 ;De Leo et al, 2003). Considérant la létalité légè-rement plus élevée des armes à feu et de la pendaison (Elnour et Harrison, 2008), il est possible d'envisager qu'un nouveau changement dans les méthodes soit survenu à la fin des années 1990, bien que…”