Articles tagged with Firearms
Researchers studied neurocognitive temporal training and its impact on Soldier performance, including improved marksmanship precision and reduced variability. The interactive metronome device was used to train Soldiers and measure their timing and rhythm abilities.
Researchers identified sociodemographic factors associated with firearm suicide risk in US adults, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The study found that certain demographic characteristics increased the likelihood of firearm suicide, emphasizing the importance of addressing these factors.
Primary care physicians can identify patients at risk of firearm suicide through improved health screening, and adding firearm safety questions to mental health screening can make it a more routine part of primary care. Physicians can also advocate for policy change and harness online momentum to influence the political discourse on fi...
A new study found that 47 US states and territories do not require child care operators to notify parents about firearms on-site. Nearly one-quarter have no regulations governing firearms in centers, while only a handful prohibit them in homes.
The RAND Corporation's latest study found that child-access prevention laws reduce self-inflicted fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries among young people. Stand-your-ground laws are associated with increases in firearm homicides, while waiting periods may reduce firearm suicides.
A survey of over 195 men on probation and/or parole in Baltimore found that more than half attempted to acquire a firearm but were unsuccessful due to various reasons. The majority reported selling or trading guns for money, drugs, or other guns.
A study of 647 firearm deaths in homes in King County, Washington from 2011-2018 found that personal protection was cited as a reason for owning a firearm. The researchers discovered that firearm deaths were more likely to be suicide, homicide or unintentional rather than self-defense
A recent survey found that most emergency physicians (over half of 1,074 respondents) encounter firearms at work annually, yet less than half feel confident in handling them. The study suggests that emergency physicians may benefit from educational interventions targeting firearms safety.
A study published in Injury Prevention found that around 100,000 convicted felons in the US may still possess firearms, with California being the only state to enforce a recovery program. The researchers estimate this number is based on data from the Armed and Prohibited Persons System database.
Researchers advocate for a public health approach to prevent and treat firearm violence, leveraging critical care providers and government funding. A solid evidence base is crucial for effective interventions.
Child access prevention laws, enacted in half of US states, reduced firearm fatalities in children under 15 by 13% compared to states with no regulations. States with the most restrictive laws had a 59% reduction, preventing an estimated 4,000 deaths.
Researchers evaluated association between state firearm laws and pediatric firearm fatalities from 1991 to 2016. The study found that certain laws may be effective in reducing child access-related deaths.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Daniel S. Nagin found a strong positive correlation between statewide gun ownership and police use of lethal force, suggesting that more guns lead to more police shootings. The analysis also showed that access to trauma centers can lower rates of deaths in police encounters.
Researchers found long guns were used more often in suicides by kids and teens than adults, particularly in rural counties. Rifles were also used during hunting season, increasing by 60%. Adopting safety measures for rifles or shotguns may prevent suicides.
A special issue of Criminology & Public Policy assesses trends in mass violence and evaluates the effectiveness of measures to prevent mass shootings. Research-based policy recommendations include limiting high-capacity firearms access and improving threat-detection systems.
A new study found a significant increase in political TV ads referencing guns, with gun regulation messages growing by 369% and pro-gun rights ads decreasing by 45%. Gun policy has emerged as a key issue in candidates' campaign platforms, with most ads supporting the Second Amendment.
A new online tool, Lock to Live, has been developed to help suicidal adults make decisions about reducing access to firearms and other potential suicide methods. The self-administered web resource was tested in a pilot trial with promising results, including high interest and acceptance among participants.
A University of Washington study found that rural kids carrying handguns is 'not uncommon', starting as early as the sixth grade. The practice is associated with pro-handgun attitudes and having friends who carry handguns.
Researchers from Michigan State University found that 38% of known mass shooters had a history of domestic violence. The study highlights the need for better implementation of firearm restrictions to prevent mass shootings.
A new study found that firearm injury survivors experience higher rates of chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and poor physical health compared to motor vehicle crash survivors. The study highlights the need for continued care and follow-up services after discharge.
A study found that 40% of gun owners reported not locking all firearms, even in the presence of children, emphasizing the importance of safe storage devices. The study also showed that nearly 3,000 people attended public gun safety events and planned to use free safety devices within a week.
A survey study assessed Californians' opinions on two proposals: an amnesty program for high-capacity magazines and a five-year gun ban for repeat DUI offenders. The majority supported the first proposal, but were divided on the second.
A study by UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program found that Oregon's CBC policies resulted in an 18% increase in pre-firearm-sale checks, while Washington state saw a 4% increase. The different rates are attributed to variations in private-party firearm sales and compliance among private gun sellers.
A recent survey suggests that nearly one in four Californian adults lives in a household with a gun, with an estimated 7.3 million residents state-wide owning or living with someone who owns a firearm. This equates to a collective tally of 19.9 million firearms in the state.
A nationwide population-based study found that firearms are the most lethal method for suicide, with nearly 9 out of 10 attempts being fatal. The overall fatality rate for suicide attempts nationwide is 1 out of 12. The study suggests that prevention efforts focused on reducing access to firearms could save lives.
A new study found an increasing rate of eye injuries related to nonpowder firearms among children, with BB guns accounting for most of the injuries. The study highlights the need for protective eyewear and stricter safety legislation to prevent preventable and serious injuries.
A new study by Boston University School of Medicine found that deaths due to guns have increased since 2014, with years of life lost rising due to gun violence affecting younger people more, especially men and non-Hispanic black populations.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that regular foot patrols in two forest reserves reduced illicit activity by over half between 2012 and 2016. The patrols led to the arrest of six poachers, destruction of hundreds of hectares of cocoa farms, and a significant decline in gunshots and snares used to capture game.
Pediatrician Lenore Jarvis is advocating for clinicians and parents to discuss safe gun storage and ask about unlocked firearms to prevent childhood injuries. Unsecured guns are a leading cause of death among children and youth, and families should feel comfortable making informed decisions.
Research suggests that counties with high poverty levels have a 37% higher rate of child suicides compared to the least impoverished counties. The association is particularly pronounced for firearm suicides. To address this issue, experts recommend safe gun storage and open communication with children about mental health and suicide.
Gun violence in America claims over 35,000 lives annually; UW researchers identify roadblocks to collecting and analyzing firearm data. Improved access to data could inform evidence-based policies to reduce gun violence.
A study of California firearm owners has identified five distinct patterns of gun ownership linked to varying levels of risk. The research found that different combinations of survey responses to questions about firearms, storage practices, and motivations are associated with higher or lower risks of injury and death.
Between 2008 and 2014, approximately 1,972 firearm-related eye injuries occurred in patients under 21, mostly sight-threatening and associated with severe trauma. Black patients were more likely to be injured in assaults, while white patients had a higher rate of self-inflicted firearm-related injuries.
A study by UC Davis researcher Rocco Pallin found that most Californians support healthcare providers talking about gun safety in exam rooms when there is a risk of firearm-related harm. The study suggests that patients may find these conversations most appropriate when specific risks are elevated, and providers should take a risk-base...
Firearm injuries were more likely to require ICU admission and have higher severity, longer hospital stays compared to cut/pierce injuries in children under 18. Bullets inflict greater force than other weapons causing cuts or pierces.
A new study reveals a stark mismatch between the number of US child firearm injuries and funding for research to understand and prevent them. Funding for pediatric firearm research is 30 times lower than needed to keep pace with other child health threats, resulting in less new knowledge and fewer discoveries.
Three UC Davis studies examine strategies to reduce firearm-related injury and death, while a fourth study identifies five distinct types of firearm owners. Background checks are found to reduce violence among those prevented from owning firearms, but flawed policies contribute to ineffective results.
A new study reveals a sharp rise in US firearm deaths across most states and demographics between 1999-2017. The majority of states saw firearm mortality rates increase by more than 20%, while Hispanic whites were the only racial/ethnic group to see reductions.
A study of 79,000 gun purchasers found that those with prior DUI convictions were at increased risk of arrest for violent crimes. Gun purchasers with DUI convictions were 8.8% more likely to be arrested for violent crimes compared to those without a criminal history.
A UC Davis study found that handgun purchasers with a prior DUI conviction are at a higher risk of future arrests for violent crimes, including murder and assault. The research used California crime data from 2001 to 2013 to identify purchases made by individuals with at least one DUI conviction.
Gun owners report fewer phobias and victimization fears than non-gun owners, study by Florida State University researchers suggests. The study found exceptions for fears of animals and mugging, and implications for gun policy.
A UC Davis study found a 4% increase in firearm injury in California after spikes in handgun purchases following high-profile events. The research, published in Injury Epidemiology, assessed handgun acquisitions across 499 California cities and estimated their impact on fatal and non-fatal injuries.
A new study examines the effectiveness of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), also known as 'red flag' laws, in preventing mass shootings. The research analyzed 21 cases and found that ERPOs had prevented all threatened shootings, with no other homicides or suicides by persons subject to the orders.
A study of 1,652 active-duty military personnel found that nearly 36% of those with suicidal thoughts or behaviors had firearms at home. Safe storage practices were less common among those with a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors who had firearms. The study emphasizes the need for safe firearm storage to prevent suicide.
A University of Utah study found that nearly two-thirds of military suicides occur at home using a firearm. Safe gun storage practices can reduce firearms suicides by up to half, according to the research.
A new University of Washington study finds that firearm retailers are willing to learn about suicide prevention and train their employees to spot warning signs. However, a lack of awareness and reluctance to discuss personal issues inhibit greater progress in suicide prevention.
The American College of Physicians, along with leading physician and public health organizations, calls for policies to reduce firearms-related injuries and deaths. Comprehensive criminal background checks, research into the causes of firearm violence, and improved access to mental health care are recommended.
A Boston University study finds that laws restricting who can have a gun are most effective in reducing firearm homicides, with different laws more effective in urban and suburban/rural areas. Universal background checks and stringent concealed carry laws show promise in reducing urban and suburban/rural rates.
A new Rutgers University study found a significant link between the concentration of federally licensed firearms dealers in urban counties and intimate partner homicide in the home, regardless of victim age or gender. The researchers suggest that easy access to legal guns in urban areas can increase the risk of intimate partner violence.
A review of 33 years' worth of medical studies reveals key areas for new research to explore. The study found that only a few hundred studies have been published on the topic, many with methodological flaws. Experts recommend more research on larger samples, school- and family-level risk factors, and protective factors.
A new study found that firearm ownership significantly increases the risk of intimate partner and family homicide, with a 13% increased incidence for each 10% increase in household gun ownership rates. The majority of domestic violence victims are women who are more likely to be killed if there is a gun in the household.
A cross-sectional study published in Pediatrics found that states with stricter firearms laws had a 35% lower firearm-related death rate among children. The study also showed that universal background checks for firearm purchases were associated with lower mortality rates.
Researchers found a causal link between print news media coverage of U.S. gun control policy and increases in firearm acquisition, especially in states with lax gun laws. The study analyzed data on mass shootings, media coverage, and firearm background checks, revealing no significant links between other variables.
A recent study found a 60% increase in suicide deaths among young black males and a 182% increase among young black females between 2001 and 2017. Safe firearm storage and adequate mental health services are crucial to reducing these rates.
A new white paper from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research concludes that handgun licensing is more effective at reducing gun deaths than comprehensive background checks alone. States with licensing requirements have been shown to experience significant reductions in gun homicides and suicides, while comprehensive back...
A team of experts from the Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens (FACTS) consortium has published a list of 26 urgent questions for rigorous studies to address pediatric firearm injury prevention. The questions cover various aspects, including access, storage, and exposure to firearms, as well as the effectiveness of programs and tec...
A majority of current gun owners (almost four out of five) support the sale of both traditional and personalized guns through licensed dealers. However, only 18% are likely to purchase a personalized gun for themselves due to added costs. Personalized guns offer safety features to prevent unauthorized use, but their high cost may limit...
A study examining firearm ownership and accessibility found that US Army soldiers who died by suicide were more likely to own firearms and store them loaded at home. The study suggests a link between firearm availability and increased risk of suicidal death among military personnel.
A new clinical guide aims to empower physicians to recognize patients' risk of firearm injury or death and discuss safe firearm practices. The guide, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, provides practical tools for screening, counseling, and interventions.
A randomized clinical trial found that children exposed to violent video games with guns were more likely to engage in dangerous behavior, such as pulling the trigger at themselves or others. Self-reported consumption of violent media was also a risk factor for this behavior.