Articles tagged with Firearms
Suicide rates in the US increased across all racial groups between 1999 and 2020, with highest rates among White people and American Indian/Alaska Native persons. Firearms and hanging were the top methods used, with a sharp increase in hangings among women.
A 7-year analysis of a US national injury database found that female victims of gun violence are less likely to die than male victims, despite having similar injury severity. They also experience better outcomes with fewer complications after hospital admission.
Research compares US, Australian, and UK gun violence rates to mental illness rates, finding higher US rates without comparable differences in mental illness prevalence. Gun ownership and access to firearms are suggested as plausible but unproven explanations for the disparity.
A Rutgers University study found that many firearm owners view most secure storage practices as more effective at preventing suicide and unintentional shootings than theft prevention. Those who store loaded and unlocked firearms saw less value in storing unloaded, locked, and separated from ammunition.
A new NIH grant will investigate how news media reports on community firearm violence affect survivors, communities, and policymakers. The research aims to develop evidence-based guidelines for safer reporting, inspired by successful approaches for other traumatic events.
This study analyzed data from 262 adolescents who discharged firearms in 253 school shootings over 26 years. The most common source of these firearms was family members or relatives of the perpetrators, highlighting the importance of secure firearm storage to reduce adolescent access.
New research found a 16% increase in economic burden of US firearm injuries and deaths in 2020 compared to 2019. Non-fatal costs are largely attributed to hospitalization, while fatal costs are mainly due to value of lives lost.
In a study of almost 20,000 post-mortem investigations, researchers found that 7 in 8 homicide victims in South Africa were male. Homicide rates peak on weekends and holidays, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this epidemic.
The study highlights substantial heterogeneity in NICS reporting requirements for mental health prohibitions and a lack of clarity around processes. This raises questions about the ability of NICS to prevent firearm purchases or possession by individuals with court-identified risk of violence.
A new study found that age-related patterns in firearm-related suicide have remained stable over decades, except for accelerating rates in younger teens. States with less strict firearm laws experienced significantly higher firearm suicide rates compared to those with more strict gun laws.
A study led by Northwestern University found that a Chicago-based community violence intervention program reduced gun violence involvement by over 73% among participants. The program's alumni showed the best outcomes, with a significant decrease in assaults, robberies, and other gun-related violence.
Pediatric emergency department visits for firearm injuries doubled during the pandemic, with deaths from firearms among children and adolescents doubling to 6% of ED visits. This increase was seen across socioeconomic groups, highlighting the need for evidence-based policy solutions to tackle firearm violence.
A new study reveals that gunshot injuries among youth lead to significant increases in psychiatric disorders and healthcare spending. Family members of survivors experience long-lasting trauma effects, including a sharp increase in fathers' mental health visits after the loss of a child.
A Lancaster University academic argues that AI and algorithms contribute to polarization, radicalism, and political violence, posing a threat to national security. The paper examines how AI has been securitized throughout its history, highlighting the need for better understanding and management of its risks.
A new study found that domestic violence involving firearms increased in three major US cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, while overall domestic violence remained stable. The researchers note that firearm domestic violence may be less sensitive to pandemic-related forces affecting reporting of other types of domestic violence.
A Rutgers study found that 70.5% of law enforcement officers in the US own firearms, with handguns being the most common type. The study also revealed that those with lifetime thoughts of suicide are more likely to own firearms and engage in insecure storage methods.
Childhood trauma rates surged during the pandemic, with injuries from motor vehicle crashes and gunshot wounds rising disproportionately in socioeconomically deprived areas. The study highlights worsened pandemic-related stressors exacerbating an already severe problem.
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2023 offers media credentials to cover groundbreaking research, connect with surgeon experts, and learn about the latest trends in surgery. Key topics include artificial intelligence, COVID-19's impact on cancer care, and pediatric trauma.
A Rutgers study found diverse firearm owning communities across five states, including varying levels of risk for injury and death. States like Mississippi and Texas showed more dangerous behavior, while New Jersey residents were less likely to grow up in homes with firearms or use them unsafely.
A new UC Davis study investigates the complex mix of attitudes and concerns about the state of democracy in the US. While most respondents reject political violence altogether, some believe it is usually or always justified to advance political objectives.
A new study from Iowa State University researchers reveals that mismatches are more likely than matches to be reported as 'inconclusive' in cartridge-case comparisons. This can lead to innocent people being 'defenseless' against wrongful convictions, according to experts.
A study found that gentrified neighborhoods have a 62% higher firearm injury incidence rate than non-gentrified communities. The researchers identified gentrification as a key factor contributing to the increased risk of firearm violence in these areas.
A Rutgers study found that exposure to firearm violence, including witnessing or being victimized, is associated with poorer mental and physical health in Black and AI/AN adults. The study surveyed over 3,500 individuals and found that multiple types of gun violence exposure are particularly harmful.
The economic burden of youth violence in the US has reached $122 billion, driven primarily by medical care, lost productivity, and avoidable mortality from male firearm homicides. Prevention strategies can help mitigate this substantial economic burden.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explore how spiritual coping behaviors help survivors of urban firearm injury recover. The study suggests that combining culturally sensitive spiritual resources with psychotherapy may lead to effective trauma-informed care for injured urban Black men.
A new study suggests that people who bought firearms during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have higher rates of recent suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, and intimate partner violence compared to other firearm owners and non-gun owners. Pandemic firearm buyers also tend to hold extreme beliefs, including anti-vaccination view...
A new study reveals that over half of adult patients skip questioning about firearms on screening questionnaires, while surveyed primary care providers are often uncomfortable discussing firearm safety with most patients. The study suggests a need for more research and improved training on firearm-related topics for primary care clinics.
An analysis of 71,000 shooting incidents in five major US cities found that socioeconomic status and lack of access to a vehicle are strongly linked to increased firearm assaults. Policymakers can use this data to target neighborhoods at risk of firearm violence using the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index.
A new study reveals geographically distinct areas of high death rates in the US related to cigarettes and firearms, including both assault and suicide. The Southeastern US shows significantly higher rates compared to the rest of the country.
Two studies demonstrate that artificial intelligence in colonoscopy can increase adenoma detection rates and reduce miss rates, but also lead to increased removal of non-neoplastic polyps. The findings suggest the need for additional research on more defined detection parameters before AI can be integrated into routine clinical care.
A study published in The Journal of Rural Health found that rural US youth who engage in heavy drinking are more likely to carry a handgun, with a 43% increased risk. The study suggests that evidence-based prevention programs can address both behaviors and potentially lower firearm-related harm among adolescents.
Scientists estimate annual probability of a mass shooting in every US state and public places like schools, using statistical methods and computer simulations. The study finds that mass shootings are low-probability but high-consequence events.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that children from lower opportunity neighborhoods experienced a significantly higher rate of firearm-related injury during the pandemic. The study found that unsafe storage of guns and single-parent households, combined with the stress of an unprecedented international emergency, exacerbated...
A new Rutgers study found that an increase in concealed carry licenses issued leads to a greater number of homicides in the following year. The study analyzed data from 11 states over 9 years, finding no evidence that homicides are reduced where there are more concealed carry licenses.
A study at Ohio State University found that viewing a one-minute gun safety video reduced the likelihood of children playing with a found firearm, including touching or reporting it to an adult. The study involved 226 children who watched either a car safety or gun safety video before playing with toys in a lab setting.
Researchers at WVU's forensic lab discovered how organic and inorganic compounds in gunshot residue differ in their persistence on surfaces and transfer. This breakthrough allows crime scene investigators to distinguish between 'greener' and traditional ammunition, enabling faster and more informed decisions at crime scenes.
Death rates due to unintentional poisonings and firearm homicides rose substantially in the US from 1999 to 2020, highlighting a pressing public health concern. The study's findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address this alarming trend.
A new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital analyzed 10 years of data on unintentional firearm fatalities among children to investigate cases where children younger than 15 unintentionally killed themselves or another child with a firearm. The majority of victims were male, and most incidents occurred at the victim's residence.
A Rutgers University study found that some individuals, particularly women living alone in urban environments, are incorrectly classified as not owning firearms. This underreporting can lead to a lack of secure storage messaging and safety resources, increasing the risk of firearm injuries and deaths.
Researchers at Tulane University have identified a synthetic compound called dimethyl malonate that can prevent coagulopathy during massive hemorrhages. The study found that this compound inhibits excessive cellular metabolism, preventing the glycocalyx from shedding and causing bleeding to stop.
Research from Oregon State University shows that Americans judge the morality of armed self-protection on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like perceived threat and background of the person carrying the gun. The study highlights the complexity of consumer views on gun rights and Second Amendment rights.
Projected health outcomes associated with Supreme Court decisions in 2022 suggest substantial harms to public health due to lack of COVID-19 workplace protections and revoked abortion rights. Nearly 3,000 excess deaths are projected over a decade.
A new study found that 63% of children on Medicaid do not receive mental health services within six months after a firearm injury. Children who survive firearm injuries are at increased risk for adverse mental health outcomes, including newly diagnosed trauma-related disorders and substance use.
A study of 5,813 youths found that socially vulnerable communities experienced a disproportionate number of assault-related firearm deaths. Stricter gun laws were associated with lower death rates, but disadvantaged communities remained disproportionately impacted.
The US firearm crisis is preventable with practical public health solutions. Harm reduction and community engagement programs can reduce the impact on individuals, families, and communities. Legislative policies also hold promise, particularly safe storage laws, which correlate with reduced injury and death rates.
Survivors of firearm injury experience chronic PTSD symptoms and poor health-related quality of life, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care. Screening for chronic kidney disease could be cost-effective for US adults starting at age 35.
A Rutgers University study found that Black adults, particularly women, who experience discrimination and crime are more likely to own firearms. The study also showed that firearm ownership is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts among Black adults.
A US study found that 56% of Black and Hispanic Chicagoans witnessed a shooting by age 40, while White residents were exposed to gun violence at less than half the rate. The average age for witnessing a shooting was just 14 years old, with nearly 7% of Black and Hispanic participants being shot before 40.
A new study found that fame-seekers plan their mass shootings as 'surprises,' carefully crafting them in ways that set them apart from previous incidents. Researchers analyzed data from 189 mass shootings between 1966 and 2021, finding that attacks by fame-seekers were about three times more surprising than those from non-fame-seekers.
A MU researcher's study found that most child shooting victims were shot outdoors for unknown reasons and were likely not intentionally targeted. Firearm injuries surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of child deaths in 2020, with assault being the most common cause.
A recent study found that the police murder of George Floyd led to a three-week spike in firearm assaults on U.S. police officers, but this trend quickly subsided. The researchers caution against using the term 'war on cops' and instead suggest focusing on evidence-based solutions to reduce violence.
A new survey found that younger individuals (ages 35-40) and those living in urban areas were more likely to report purchasing a firearm for the first time due to the pandemic. This demographic shift is concerning given the increased risk of firearm-related death associated with having children and firearms present in the same household.
Researchers used fluid dynamics to model blood drop behavior during secondary atomization, finding smaller droplets are easier to sweep up by firearm gases. This discovery could explain how short-range shooters remain clean from blood stains.
A new study finds that an estimated 6.5 million Californians are concerned about a friend or family member who may harm themselves or others due to substance misuse, history of violence, or firearm access. The survey shows that 85% of respondents who knew someone at risk took actions to reduce the risk, but few addressed firearm access.
A new study by Northwestern University found that up to a quarter of juvenile justice youth are later injured or killed by firearms within 16 years. The study highlights the need for policy and intervention strategies to address the epidemic of firearm injury and death among high-risk youth, particularly those in the juvenile justice s...
A 25-year longitudinal cohort study revealed that youths involved with the juvenile justice system have a significantly increased risk of firearm mortality, with rates varying by sex, race, and ethnicity. Sixteen years after detention, nearly one-quarter of Black and Hispanic males had been injured or killed by firearms.
A Rutgers study finds that individuals who avoid COVID-19 precautions are more likely to buy firearms, especially those with liberal or moderate political views. These groups also tend to trust less scientific information and have concerns about physical attacks, leading them to prioritize firearm ownership as a means of self-protection.
A study published by the University of Washington found that a community-based prevention system called Communities That Care (CTC) reduced handgun carrying among adolescents growing up in rural areas. By the 12th grade, adolescents in CTC communities were 24% less likely to report carrying a handgun than those in control communities.
A CAMH-led study found that the probability of using a gun as a means of suicide among Americans increases with alcohol consumption. The study suggests that responsible gun ownership and awareness of alcohol's increased risk are crucial in preventing gun-involved suicides.
A study found that as alcohol consumption increased, the probability of a firearm-involved suicide also rose until a certain blood alcohol concentration was reached. Interventions focusing on heavy alcohol use may help reduce suicide mortality rates, particularly those involving firearms.