Australian Institue of Criminology

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Homicide weapon statistics

Trend in firearm homicides

Relative use of knife and firearm to commit homicide, from 1989-90 to 2006-07 (percent)

Relative use of knife and firearm to commit homicide, from 1989-90 to 2006-07 (percent)

Source:AIC NHMP 2006-07 [computer file]

  • There has been a pronounced change in the type of weapons used in homicide since monitoring began. Firearm use has declined by more than half since 1989-90 as a proportion of homicide methods, and there has been an upward trend in the use of knives and sharp instruments, which in 2006-07 accounted for nearly half of all homicide victims.