Articles tagged with Firearms
A new research letter highlights how quickly Colorado's children and teenagers can access a loaded gun, increasing the risk of adolescent suicides and firearm injuries. Nearly one-third of middle and high school students report having access to a gun within 24 hours or under 10 minutes.
A first-of-its-kind study found that mass and active shooters in California have distinct patterns of buying guns compared to other legal purchasers. The researchers identified several patterns, including pre-attack planning and a desire for harder-to-trace firearm purchases.
The pediatric death rate in the US sharply rose between 2019 and 2021, offsetting years of progress in medicine and public health. The alarming spike is primarily due to deaths from homicide, accidental drug overdoses, motor vehicle accidents, and suicide among those ages 10-19.
A Rutgers study found that healthcare providers rarely screen their patients for firearm access, with only 17.1% of participants being asked about it. Researchers argue that adding screening to standard practice can provide resources on secure storage to families at risk.
A new study finds that Black, Hispanic, and Asian children experienced substantial increases in firearm assault rates, while White children's rates remained the same. The disparity in risk of firearm injury nearly quadrupled between Black and White children.
Child firearm assaults surged in major US cities during the COVID-19 pandemic, with racial disparities worsening. Hispanic, Asian, and especially Black children bore a disproportionate share of the increased violence.
Leading medical organizations have formed a coalition to combat the growing problem of firearm violence in the US. The Healthcare Coalition for Firearm Injury Prevention aims to promote education, advocacy, and community-centered approaches to reduce firearm-related injuries.
A Rutgers study found that 58.3% of US firearm owners store at least one gun unlocked and hidden, while 32.4% use gun safes as their primary lock method. The study suggests that addressing fears about home invasions and educating the public on firearm risks can increase secure storage practices.
Researchers found that discussing cable locks with retailers increased the use of locking devices among gun owners. The study suggests that encouraging retailers to notify buyers about included locking devices can lower the risk of firearm injury and death. This simple conversation may save a life, according to the lead author.
A study by Pusan National University researchers found that countries closer to the equator have higher suicide rates due to decreased sunlight exposure. The prevalence of suicide increased with latitude, and was found to be higher in men than women, with age also being a significant factor
A study by University of Missouri-Columbia researchers found a significant increase in pediatric firearm injuries during the pandemic, with Black and low-income children being most at risk. The monthly injury rate increased by 51.5% during the pandemic, leading to a 29% increase in pediatric firearm deaths.
A Temple-led study explores how recently firearm-injured individuals perceive news media coverage of their injuries and firearm violence. Participants reported feeling relieved when not
A new RAND Corporation report finds that child-access-prevention laws reduce firearm homicides, while shall-issue concealed-carry laws and stand-your-ground laws increase levels of firearm violence. The study also suggests that private-seller background-check requirements and minimum age limits for purchasing firearms may decrease tota...
A Rutgers study found that military service members who hide their suicidal thoughts and avoid behavioral health care tend to store their firearms unsafely. Those with undisclosed past year suicidal thoughts stored their firearms at home more often and with a locking device in place less often.
A study by Brown University researchers found that young men in US zip codes with high firearm violence faced significantly higher risks of firearm-related deaths and injuries compared to military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The risk was particularly borne by minority racial and ethnic groups.
Firearm-related deaths among children and adolescents show racial and ethnic disparities, with Black youths bearing the highest burden. The study reveals a recent increase in mortality rates, potentially linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest.
Rates of pediatric firearm injuries increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, persisting through 2021. Non-Hispanic Black children and those with public insurance were disproportionately affected, highlighting a pressing need for gun safety measures.
A study of 38,000 child homicides from 1999 to 2020 found declining rates in some groups, but recent increases across several subpopulations. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address firearm violence and racial disparities.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and the University of Washington School of Social Work found a consistent relationship between higher temperatures and higher risk of shootings in 100 of the country's most populated cities. Nearly seven percent of shootings can be attributed to above-average daily temperatures.
A new analysis of firearm death rates in the US reveals that Black men are disproportionately affected by homicide, while white men are more likely to die by suicide. The study, which analyzed data from 1981 to 2020, also shows that minority populations bear a disproportionate burden of years lost due to premature death.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the US Department of Defense have co-hosted a summit on firearm suicide prevention. The CU faculty lead report outlines 10 recommendations to improve evidence-based interventions, including repealing prohibitions on questioning service members about personal firearms and implementi...
A new study presents early data from an online prevention strategy aimed at reducing the risk of firearm injury and death in rural areas. The effort tailors messages about safe firearm storage and teen firearm suicide to a rural audience, with strong engagement reported by 86% of parents.
A new study reveals that children who survive firearm injuries are more likely to develop mental health diagnoses, particularly stress-related conditions and substance misuse issues. The research found that 35% of firearm-injured kids received a new mental health diagnosis in the year after the incident.
A recent study reveals a stark increase in US firearm fatalities over the past 32 years, with disparities identified across racial, ethnic, and geographic lines. The research shows that certain demographics are disproportionately affected, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions.
A study of 1.1 million firearm fatalities in the US from 1990 to 2021 found increasing disparities in rates between men and women, as well as by racial and ethnic group. These findings highlight the need for public health approaches to address underlying demographic trends and geographic differences in reducing firearm violence.
A new report from Tufts University School of Medicine proposes a policy platform that reduces gun violence by 28%, backed by research on common ground between gun owners and non-gun owners. The platform includes policies such as violent misdemeanor laws, universal background checks, and state gun permitting systems.
A new study explores how older adults plan for future changes, such as stopping driving or using firearms. The research found that reducing access to potentially dangerous situations should be prompted by declining ability, not age alone. Trusted messengers like family and clinicians can lead conversations around limiting access, and s...
A Rutgers study found that unsecured handguns account for the majority of firearm suicide deaths in the US, with most victims using their own loaded and unlocked guns. Men and younger individuals were more likely to use long guns or store firearms unlocked.
A new study from the University of Washington found that the number of US adult handgun owners carrying a loaded handgun on their person doubled from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, approximately 16 million adult handgun owners had carried a loaded handgun in the past month, with 6 million carrying every day.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimates the economic burden of acute firearm injuries at a Level I Trauma Center in New Orleans, resulting in a net loss of $20.3 million over four years. The study highlights the significant financial impact of gun violence on healthcare systems and society.
A pooled analysis of firearm-related deaths from 2000 to 2019 found that permit requirements and prohibition of violent misdemeanor possession had decreased total firearm-related deaths and homicide rates. Synergic legislative action to implement firearm laws in proximate states may help prevent firearm-related deaths.
A Columbia University study found that most mass murderers in academic settings lacked severe mental illness, with firearms being the primary method used. The researchers suggest that cultural and social factors, such as gun violence romanticization, are key drivers of these events.
A pilot study found that a firearm safety program may not reach all parents equitably, with disparities affecting girls and some racial and ethnic minorities. The program aims to reduce suicide deaths by securely storing firearms.
A Rutgers study suggests that messages on safe firearm storage delivered by military law enforcement are more effective in persuading service members to adopt safe storage practices. The study found that participants responded positively to visual messages voiced by security forces, particularly with respect to using locking devices.
The toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on finding and publicizing firearm storage locations, as well as sample storage agreements. Eight states already have partial maps available online, with Colorado and Washington leading the way.
A comparative effectiveness study of 367 US military service members found that within-home storage options, such as locking devices, were more effective in promoting safe firearm storage practices. The study suggests that safe firearm storage messaging is a scalable intervention to prevent accidents and save lives.
The AAP recommends a public safety approach, including research, education, and legislation, to prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths in children and youth. The organization cites alarming increases in homicides and suicides, especially among teens aged 15-24.
A study found pediatric firearm-related injuries at a hospital ED increased during the first two years of the shutdown, with significant increases in African American and mentally ill patients. The total number of firearm-related injury cases rose from 88 in 2019 to 118 in 2020 and remained elevated in 2021.
A Texas study found that accidental firearm injuries in children most commonly occurred in their own homes or those of friends and family members. The majority of these accidents involved a child shooting themselves or another child. To prevent such incidents, researchers recommend safe gun storage and education for school-aged children.
The article highlights the need for comprehensive, real-time action data to address firearm injuries. It also explores the connection between violence and the carceral state, as well as the impact of state firearm laws on mortality and morbidity rates.
Research by Harvard Medical School professor Zirui Song finds that the economic cost of firearm injuries in the US is over $557 billion annually. This includes quality-of-life losses among those injured and their families, as well as indirect costs to employers and health insurers.
A Rutgers study reveals that the US has a higher rate of fatal police shootings (3.1 per million) compared to similarly developed countries like France and Australia. The study suggests that police training duration and content play a significant role in determining lethal policing outcomes.
A new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that relaxing conceal carry permit restrictions led to a significant increase in firearm assaults, with an average rate of 12.75 per 100,000 people. States with shall issue laws and live-firearm training requirements did not see the same increases in gun violence.
Using 'recidivism' to describe individuals with firearm injuries perpetuates racialized criminality and stigma. Researchers recommend rephrasing as 'reinjury' or 'recurrent violent injury'. This change can improve clinical practice and patient outcomes by reducing implicit biases.
A new study from the University of California - Davis Health found racial and ethnic differences in how extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) are perceived and used in California. Black Californians were less willing to ask a judge for an ERPO, citing lack of knowledge and mistrust of the system as their top reasons.
A new study links historic redlining and ongoing segregation by race and income to a higher rate of nonfatal shootings in Baltimore's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. The researchers found that doubly disadvantaged neighborhoods experienced 24 more nonfatal shootings per 10,000 residents compared to sustainably advantaged neighborhoods.
A prospective cohort study found that drinking two or more cups of black tea per day is associated with a moderately lower mortality risk. The findings suggest that tea can be part of a healthy diet.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that racially resentful white Americans are less likely to support some gun rights if they believe Black people are exercising those rights more than white people. This bias led to a quicker match of photos of white people with gun rights phrases and photos of Black peo...
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found a strong correlation between historical rates of enslavement and present-day gun ownership in the US. The study suggests that American attitudes towards guns are shaped by historical events, such as the legacy of slavery, and are influenced by social transmission of beliefs.
A study published in American Journal of Medicine Open found that gun death rates among US children increased by 30% from 2010 to 2019. States with stronger gun control laws, such as New York and California, saw a decrease in youth firearm mortality rates, suggesting that policies can impact the epidemic of youth suicides.
A new study published in Psychiatric Services finds that large-scale training in suicide prevention is possible, with healthcare professionals reporting improved understanding of suicide and how to respond. The training aims to educate and empower providers to identify at-risk behaviors and discuss limitations of lethal means.
The study provides guidelines for healthcare facilities to respond effectively to mass shooting incidents. The clinicians identified the importance of modified triage plans, prioritizing patients based on anatomical considerations, and clear communication with emergency responders. By implementing these strategies, hospitals can better...
Firearm homicide rates have reversed improving trends of racial disparities since 2014. States like Missouri, Alaska, New Mexico, Kentucky and Alabama experienced the largest relative increases in firearm homicides.
A new study from the University of California - Davis Health suggests machine learning can identify handgun purchasers at high risk of firearm suicide. The algorithm used predictive factors such as handgun categories, caliber size, and previous gun purchases to forecast the likelihood of firearm suicide.
Researchers used machine learning techniques on a statewide database of handgun transactions to forecast firearm suicide risk. The study found a significant association between handgun sales and subsequent firearm suicides.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Research on Children found that both gun-owning and non-gun-owning parents are receptive to discussions about gun locks and firearm safety measures with their child's pediatrician. The study, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, shows promise for reducing f...
A new study from NYU Tandon School of Engineering uses a spatio-temporal model to predict firearm prevalence on a state-by-state level. The researchers found that combining data from background checks per capita and suicides committed with a firearm in a given state can provide precise information regarding firearm ownership.
A new study from the University of California - Davis Health examines case details and mortality records from the first three years of California's Gun Violence Restraining Order law. The research found that GVROs were used to prevent firearm assault and homicide, with almost 30% of cases involving mass shooting threats.
A study published in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice found that mass shootings in the US account for 73% of all incidents in developed countries, resulting in 816 deaths. The research identified distinct characteristics of US mass shootings, including ideological motives and relationship problems.
Firearm fatalities are now the leading cause of death among US youth, with nearly two-thirds due to homicides. Research funding is urgently needed to address this trend and prevent further deaths.