Suicide Attempt by Successive Nail Gun Discharges to the Head and Chest: A Case Report.

This article focuses on a case report of a 57-year-old man who survived multiple severe self-inflicted penetrating wounds to the head and chest caused by a nail gun, highlighting the increasing incidence of nail gun discharge (NGD) injuries since the 1950s. The report emphasizes that while firearms are commonly recognized in suicide risk assessments, nail guns—widely available and less regulated—also pose significant lethality risks, especially for individuals with occupational access. The case underscores the importance of including access to nail guns in suicide risk screening and safety planning, particularly among patients with psychiatric comorbidities such as depression and substance use disorders. The authors suggest that tailored risk assessments considering occupational tools like nail guns could improve prevention of such injuries.