The Availability of Firearms and Levels of Homicideand Suicide Perpetrated with Their Use

Abstract

The paper reviews the literature with a view to answering the question as to whether the easier availability of firearms affects the level of homicides and suicides with their use. The author compared Polish and other similar laws where the access to firearms is strictly regulated, as against systems where the availability of firearms is facilitated, either owing to liberal laws (Colombia, Brazil, Switzerland) or to Constitutional guarantees (USA, Mexico). The comparison revealed a correlation between the availability of firearms and levels of homicide and suicide by firearms.