The costs of a bullet--inpatient costs of firearm injuries in South Africa.

To the Editor: South Africa has a reputation for being a violent society, with non-natural causes of death estimated to account for up to 30% of all deaths. Among these, firearm injuries are a common cause of mortality.1,2 In addition, about 127 000 individuals are treated at South African state hospitals each year for non-fatal firearm injuries.3 A previous study examined the cost of treating serious abdominal gunshot wounds in a district hospital and showed that each bullet cost taxpayers the equivalent of US$1 467.3