Firearm fatalities in Victoria, Australia 1988.

A study of all the firearm fatalities in the state of Victoria, Australia is presented for the year 1988. The overall incidence was 138 (3.24 per 100,000) of which 71% were suicides, 24% homicides, 2% accidental and 2% undetermined. Twice as many males were homicide victims as females. The female homicide victims being mainly shot by their husbands. 47% of homicides were of a domestic nature, while 15% were criminals shot by police. Only 3 women shot themselves compared with 11 who were victims of homicide. The relative frequency of accidental shooting deaths is the lowest recorded, a surprising finding in a state where hunting is such a common pastime.