Gunshot suicide in the County of Avon, England.

A study of 51 consecutive gunshot suicides in the County of Avon, England, between 1974 and 1990 is presented. All cases were male. The majority were married and lived with their spouses. Most suicides occurred in the setting of a domestic dispute, although at least nine had a significant past psychiatric history. Possible implications of firearm legislation and psychiatric treatment on firearm suicide rates are discussed.