NCJ Number
162979
Journal
Criminology Australia Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1995) Pages: 7-8
Date Published
1995
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The gun control debate in Australia has been characterized by broad-ranging pendulum swings in political and public opinion but relatively slow progress.
Abstract
Some difficulties derive from the lack of national control, cultural differences between states and territories, firearm use patterns and legislation, and ease of movement between jurisdictions. Even though estimates of gun licenses issued by State governments are available, the actual number of guns is not known since some licensees have more than one gun and some guns are not registered. Nonetheless, over the past decade, the number of deaths and the rate per 100,000 population from accidents, suicide, and assault have decreased. For every female death due to firearms, there are eight male deaths. Self-inflicted deaths (accidents and suicides) are rare for females, and 365 (6.5 percent) of the 5,612 gun-caused suicides over the past decade have involved females. Men over 60 years of age comprise 14 percent of the male population but account for 25 percent of suicides by firearms. Statistical data are tabulated on main causes of firearms-related deaths in Australia between 1983 and 1993. 1 table