Articles tagged with Firearms
A survey study found that over 1 in 5 adult firearm owners living with children under 18 years store at least one loaded gun in an unlocked location, posing a significant risk to child safety. More effective strategies are needed to motivate parents to secure their firearms and prevent accidents.
Unsecure firearm storage is common among older adults with subjective cognitive decline, despite clinical guidance recommending secure storage for those with cognitive symptoms. The study highlights the need for improved household practices and access to fire safety education.
A recent study found that states with stricter firearm laws had significantly lower rates of youth-perpetrated firearm homicides, with a 66% lower rate compared to those in weaker law states. The study also highlighted the importance of understanding how firearm laws shape youth-perpetrated homicides in prevention efforts.
A retrospective cross-sectional study found significant associations between unsecured firearm storage and heightened suicide risk in US Army service members. Carrying a weapon other than a firearm also linked to elevated suicide risk, suggesting that any type of weapon carrying behavior may indicate increased vulnerability.
A notable minority of US youth and young adults, particularly those facing structural disadvantages and mental health distress, engage in intentional online searches for gun-related harm. Public health strategies combining digital interventions with structural reforms offer promise to reduce gun-related harm among vulnerable populations.
A study of young adults treated in emergency departments found that a firearm-specific risk screening tool, SaFETy score, can predict the risk of interpersonal firearm violence. The findings support the value of the SaFetY score for screening young adults for firearm risk who present to emergency departments.
Gun violence researchers face challenges in accessing quality data and securing funding due to geopolitical influences. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to tackle this complex issue, involving academia, investigative journalism, and civil society to capture gun violence information.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that over 7% of Americans have thought about shooting someone, while 8.7 million adults considered it in the last year. Firearm owners were no more likely to have these thoughts than non-owners, but 21% of those who had thoughts said they would consider giving their gun to someone for safekeeping.
A strategic trauma center placement was associated with reduced firearm mortality in Chicago's high-violence areas. The study highlights the importance of equitable access to trauma care, particularly in communities with limited resources.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that children whose parents were injured by firearms experience substantial mental health impacts, with a 42% increase in psychiatric diagnoses and 60% increase in mental health visits. Early, targeted interventions are needed to address this growing need.
A new study from the University of Chicago finds that every 1% increase in eviction rate is associated with 2.66 more shootings in Chicago neighborhoods. Eviction rates disrupt collective efficacy, a neighborhood's shared belief in working together to prevent gun violence.
Clinicians can effectively counsel patients about firearm injury by discussing risk and safety, building trust, and tailoring interventions. The 3As Framework provides a structured approach to identify patients at risk of harm.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that child firearm injuries rise as soon as the school day ends, with a peak risk in the first 15 minutes after dismissal. Community-level interventions providing safe spaces for youth are crucial to prevent such violence.
Strong social support from family and friends leads to a reduction in unsafe firearm behaviors, such as frequent public carrying, according to Rutgers Health researchers. They found individuals with increased social support had lower odds of frequently carrying firearms and storing them unsafely.
A cross-sectional study found significant associations between state-level firearm ownership and all-cause and firearm-specific homicide among pregnant women. The results suggest that prevention efforts should focus on women during pregnancy, particularly in states with higher firearm ownership rates.
Over the past two decades, nearly half of US states have reported firearm mortality as the leading cause of death in children aged 1-19. Gun violence has become the primary cause of death for this age group, with Alaska being the first state to report this trend in 2004.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that new gun stores increase local shooting rates over time, with effects lasting two to three years. Closing dealers alone is unlikely to reduce violence without broader efforts to limit supply and improve oversight.
A study by Rutgers University researchers found that female, younger, and more educated firearm owners are more likely to seek therapy and use psychiatric medications. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to reach underserved demographics and communities.
A significant risk factor for in-home firearm homicide is domestic violence and child abuse, highlighting the need for improved safe storage laws and extreme risk protection orders. Young children are disproportionately affected, emphasizing the importance of preventing these deaths through stricter regulations.
The 'Store it Safe' program, launched in 2015, trains healthcare providers to screen for depression and suicide, discuss lethal means, distribute safe storage lock boxes, and provide resources for families. The program has shown significant improvements in suicidality screening rates and lethal means discussion during youth visits.
A new study reveals that firearm-related injuries and deaths in New Zealand result in significant financial costs, including NZ$321 million lost years of life and NZ$28.2 million hospital care costs annually.
A new study found that children living in low-opportunity neighborhoods are up to 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for gun injuries. Unintentional shootings account for most hospitalizations, and the study emphasizes safe storage and firearm safety education as prevention strategies.
A new study found that firearm suicides are rising sharply among older women, with nearly 40% of suicides involving firearms in 2014-2023. The trend outpaces older men, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to mitigate firearm suicides among all older adults.
Children living in low-opportunity neighborhoods are more than 20 times likely to be hospitalized for gun injuries compared to those in high-opportunity areas. Unintentional shootings account for the majority of these cases.
A study by Annenberg Public Policy Center found that firearm use in popular US movies increased by 200% from 2000 to 2021, mirroring the rise in firearm homicide rates among young people aged 15-24. The research suggests that portrayal of guns in entertainment may play a role in promoting their use for violent purposes.
A new study reveals a significant association between neighborhood firearm violence exposure and adolescents' perceived ability to obtain a firearm outside the home. Fighting behavior was found to mediate 32% of the relationship, highlighting the layered risks faced by youth in high-violence settings.
A cross-sectional study found that stronger gun laws were associated with lower overall firearm mortality, particularly for suicide. Policies addressing root causes of violence through economic mobility and social services may also reduce homicides.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found significant associations between social factors like financial hardship, housing and food insecurity, and unsafe firearm storage practices. The researchers suggest that community-based education and support are key to understanding the behaviors driving gun ownership.
A recent study found that parental firearm storage methods, such as locking and unloading guns, may not be effective in preventing teens from accessing household firearms. Storing additional firearms securely does not necessarily negate the perceived risk of access if at least one gun remains unlocked.
A new study reveals that states with permissive firearm laws have significantly higher rates of pediatric mortality due to gun accidents. The research highlights the need for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies and determine which laws are most effective in reducing harm.
Nearly 1 in 5 US firearm suicides occur outside the home, suggesting broader community-based interventions could enhance prevention strategies. The study's findings support extending existing home-based interventions to reduce firearm-related suicides nationwide.
The study analyzed 14.7 million excess US deaths from 1980 to 2023, finding that rates remained higher than pre-pandemic levels. Excess deaths during and after the pandemic were largely driven by pre-existing causes such as drug overdose, firearm injury, and cardiometabolic disease.
A Rutgers Health study found that conservatives who support firearm policies are no less likely than liberals to believe their peers support those same policies. Despite private support, there is little public demand by conservatives for policies like universal background checks and secure storage laws.
A national study by Rutgers researchers found that nearly two-thirds of US adults have experienced some form of in-person gun violence, with Black and Hispanic adults more likely to be exposed. The study also revealed significant racial disparities in media-based exposure, with Black adults reporting the highest levels of exposure.
A nationwide study reveals that education about firearm safety significantly increases parents' likelihood of asking others about guns in homes their children visit. The research found that caregivers who received information from multiple sources were more likely to ask about firearms, emphasizing the need for ongoing and multifaceted...
A new study suggests that most US school shooters came from social backgrounds where guns were a key part of their lives, often for family bonding. Researchers found that all shooters had easy access to the firearms they used, which contributed to the tragedy.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that victims of police shootings were shot far more times than those killed by civilians. The study analyzed data from the US National Violent Death Reporting System and found significant disparities in rates of gun-related crime and police practice across regions.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open highlights the need for tailored prevention strategies for at-risk women. The research found that less than one-third of women who died by firearm suicide had documented evidence of mental health treatment.
The study found a 12.3% increase in firearm incidents overall, with higher rates of non-hunting-related incidents such as suicide, alcohol-related incidents, and domestic violence during deer hunting season.
A study published in The BMJ found that the start of US deer hunting season is associated with a 12% relative increase in firearm incidents, including non-hunting related incidents such as suicide and violent crime. Efforts to promote firearm safety during this time may help curb both hunting and non-hunting related firearm incidents.
A cross-sectional analysis found firearm injury-related ED visits occurring approximately every 30 minutes between 2018 and 2023. Rates were highest during evenings, weekends, holidays, and summer months. Temporal patterns may inform health care staffing and emergency preparedness to reduce mortality rates.
A Rutgers University study found that higher firearm violence in neighborhoods is associated with lower rates of people going to the dentist and higher rates of total tooth loss. Chronic exposure to violence can lead to fear, stress, and unhealthy behaviors that impact oral health.
A new study finds that firearm homicide rates rose faster among youth than adults during the second half of the pandemic, with adolescent age groups showing no sign of decreasing. Gun violence prevention programs for school-aged children are urgently needed to address this persistent rise in firearm homicide rates.
A study found a disproportionate increase in firearm homicide rates among children under 17 and adults over 30 following the COVID-19 pandemic. The peak victimization risk shifted from age 21 to 19, highlighting a change in the association between age and firearm victimization risk.
Researchers found a significant association between state earned income tax credits and lower firearm suicide rates. The study suggests that targeted antipoverty policies can help mitigate the link between economic hardship and gun violence.
Less than 1% of people with firearm access engage in defensive use annually, with most firearm users never using their weapons for self-defense. Those who have experienced gun violence or quick access to firearms are more likely to perceive threats and respond defensively.
Defensive gun use is a rare occurrence despite gun violence exposure, suggesting that perceived threats may not necessitate action. The study highlights the potential consequences of defensive gun use, emphasizing the need for accurate risk assessment in firearm policies.
A recent survey found that over a third of US adults with guns do not store all of them in locked locations. This increases the risk of accidental death, suicide, and child access. Additionally, younger adults and those with children are more likely to report storing their guns in a safe manner.
Veterans with access to firearms, suicidal thinking, and history of mental health inpatient stays had highest risk of dying by suicide after receiving a CSRE assessment. The study found that even after going through the CSRE process, these veterans were more likely to die by suicide.
A recent study found that from 2009 through 2020, child victims in mass shootings were most likely to be killed by parents or family members. The research highlights the often-overlooked role of domestic violence in these tragic events.
A study by the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center found that a majority of adults believe home firearm access protects against home invasions, but many also underestimate its impact on suicide risk. The researchers suggest that misinformation from the firearms industry and media may contribute to these skewed perceptions.
This study found that handguns were the most common firearm present in publicly targeted fatal mass shootings. Assault weapons' presence during such incidents was associated with slightly increased injuries and deaths.
A new national study has found that homicide and suicide are the leading causes of maternal death in the US, with firearm deaths contributing to a significant portion. The study also highlights the disproportionate impact on Black birthing people and suggests that firearm legislation can reduce maternal mortality rates.
Researchers found that clinicians screen for firearm access mainly when there's a risk of suicide or violence. Most clinicians underestimate the need to ask all clients about firearm access, with barriers including subjective decisions about who needs screening.
Researchers developed machine learning models to identify high-risk gun dealers selling the largest proportion of guns recovered in crimes within a year. The study's findings suggest that enforcing targeted inspections and citations on these dealers can help reduce the supply of firearms to offenders.
Researchers found that fewer veterans reported having access to firearms than expected, with only 5% included in discussions. The study also revealed that most veterans with opioid access did not accept overdose-reversing medication, highlighting the need for improved suicide safety planning.
A recent study assesses hundreds of US police academies and shows a continued emphasis on traditional, crime-fighting approaches in basic training, neglecting community-oriented policing and guardian roles.
A new study found a significant increase in firearm-related hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with rates 34% higher than predicted pre-pandemic trends. The gap was largest for Black patients, children, and those covered by Medicaid, who experienced rates 44%, 46%, and 41% higher, respectively.
A significant increase in firearm-related hospital admissions was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 34% rise reported between 2020 and 2021. This surge had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, including children, Medicaid patients, and Black individuals.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that adverse childhood experiences increase threat sensitivity, depression, and defensive gun use in adulthood. This relationship is partly driven by threat sensitivity, suggesting that people with a history of abuse and neglect may be more likely to overreact in neutral situations.