Articles tagged with Firearms
A new study from McGill University found that southern US states with high gun ownership rates have the highest rates of white firearm suicide, while Midwestern states have the highest rates of black firearm homicide. The research suggests that different factors influence rates of firearm homicide for black and white men across states.
Children's National Hospital is leading a $5 million NIH grant to develop solutions for reducing pediatric firearm-related injuries. The project, called the Firearm-Safety Among Children & Teens Consortium (FACTS), aims to identify effective strategies and policies to lower pediatric deaths and injuries due to firearms.
A recent $5 million NIH grant has funded a research consortium at Michigan Medicine to address firearm-related fatalities among children in the US, known as the second leading cause of death. The five-year effort aims to develop evidence-based solutions through an interdisciplinary group of scientists and stakeholders.
This observational study found that strong state firearm laws are associated with lower rates of firearm homicide, suicide, and overall suicide rates. States with strict gun regulations had significantly lower firearm homicide rates when neighboring states also had strict laws.
A two-year study by RAND Corporation found persuasive evidence for child access prevention laws and moderate evidence for background checks and mental illness-related prohibitions. The study identified gaps in evidence for most gun laws, but suggests areas for compromise and increased funding for gun research.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found a 20% decline in gun injuries nationwide during the dates of the National Rifle Association's annual convention. The decrease is attributed to a brief period of gun abstinence and the well-trained gun owners attending the meetings.
Annual increase in firearm injury severity found from 1993 to 2014, reflecting hospitalization of more serious injuries and outpatient management of less serious ones. Non-fatal firearm injuries account for 70% of all firearm trauma injuries in the US.
A multi-site study found that police use of force is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all calls and arrests. Most significant injuries were associated with firearms and dogs, while conducted electrical weapons like Tasers were rarely used in force incidents.
A national survey found that more than half of US gun owners do not safely store their guns, with 54% reporting not storing all firearms securely. Safe storage practices are linked to reduced risks of unauthorized access or use.
A new approach by NIST enables numerical testimony for ballistic comparisons, estimating the probability of false positive matches. The method produces a numerical score describing similarity between cartridge cases and estimates the probability of random effects causing a false positive match.
A new study examined prosecutions in Pennsylvania and Maryland following changes in firearm transfer laws, finding increased prosecutions after tougher sentencing in Pennsylvania but decreased prosecutions in Maryland after a court decision redefined private firearm transfers. The study highlights the importance of proper implementatio...
Researchers identified three types of risk-mitigation strategies: readiness practices (routines), simulated scenario practices (target shooting and training), and mentally-rehearsed scenarios. These efforts decrease some risk but cannot fully prepare individuals for actual self-defense situations, which can pose unexpected risks.
A new study estimates that 60 additional accidental deaths related to firearms occurred after the Sandy Hook shooting, including 20 among children and 40 among adults. Exposure to guns increased following the tragedy, leading to a spike in accidental firearm-related deaths.
A groundbreaking national study by Michigan State University researchers found that state laws restricting gun ownership among domestic abusers and others with violent histories significantly reduce intimate partner homicides. Laws covering dating partners, emergency restraining orders, permit-to-purchase requirements, and firearms rel...
A Baylor University study found that white male gun owners experiencing economic stress are more emotionally and morally attached to their guns. They are also more likely to see violence against the US government as sometimes justified, according to researchers.
A study of firearms-related eye trauma in the US found significant racial disparities, with African Americans making up 35% of patients and suffering greater odds of being assaulted on the street. Whites were more likely to suffer self-inflicted injuries at home, while most common injury locations were the home and the street
A £200,000 research project aims to enhance ballistics evidence with similar scientific accuracy as DNA analysis. The LOQUITUR project will develop software to measure minute surface details on ammunition and weapons, enabling more accurate matches and improving forensic analysis.
A new study by Northeastern University found that approximately 9 million handgun owners in the US carry loaded firearms monthly, while 3 million report daily carrying. The study revealed that gun owners are more likely to be male, aged 18-29, conservative, and from the South.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that gun-related deaths and injuries in California spiked after Nevada gun shows. The study, which analyzed data from 2005 to 2013, showed a nearly 70% increase in firearm injury rates in California near Nevada gun shows compared to regions without such exposure.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that gun-related deaths and injuries in neighboring California spiked by nearly 70 percent after gun shows were held in Nevada. The findings suggest that lack of federal gun legislation reduces the impact of state laws intended to protect citizens from firearm injury and death.
Researchers found that 80% of handgun owners who carried their guns had a concealed-carry permit and 66% always carried them concealed. State laws on handgun carrying have become less restrictive over the last 30 years, leading to an increase in concealed-carry permit holders
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that permissive concealed-carry laws are associated with significantly higher rates of handgun-related homicide. The study suggests that current trends towards more lenient gun laws are inconsistent with promoting public safety.
A BU researcher received a three-year award to investigate factors associated with non-fatal firearm injuries across different regions of the US. The goal is to understand how regional differences impact gun injury risk, ultimately aiming to tailor prevention efforts to specific areas.
The American College of Physicians urges physicians to make a public commitment to talk to their patients about firearms and counsel them on safe firearm behaviors. Physicians who commit to this action can find resources and information in the growing literature.
A study found that Delaware's expansion of comprehensive background check policies to include private-party sales resulted in a 25% increase in handgun background checks and a 34% increase for long guns. In contrast, Washington and Colorado experienced no overall change in background checks despite enacting similar policies.
A Johns Hopkins study of firearm-related injuries found decreasing incidence in some age groups, increasing trends in others, and higher costs for gunshot wounds. Firearm injuries are also linked to mental health disorders, with attempted suicides having the highest incidence among Medicare enrollees.
A randomized experiment found that children who watched a PG-rated movie clip containing guns played with a disabled real gun longer and pulled the trigger more often than those who saw the same movie without guns. Children who saw the movie containing guns also played more aggressively and sometimes fired the gun at people.
A new study found that states with laws requiring people at high risk of committing intimate partner abuse to relinquish firearms have significantly lower rates of intimate partner homicide and firearm-specific IPH. The study suggests that effective enforcement procedures are key to the law's impact.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has reaffirmed its opposition to the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, citing ethical and clinical concerns. ACP emphasizes the importance of improving palliative care, including awareness and access, as a more effective approach to end-of-life care.
Researchers found that regions with higher Brady Gun Law Scores, indicating stricter gun laws, had lower rates of firearm-related emergency department visits among children and teens. The Northeast region had the lowest rate of 40 injuries per 100,000 visits, while the South had the highest rate of 71 injuries per 100,000 visits.
A new study finds that many pediatric emergency department physicians do not discuss firearm injury prevention when discussing overall injury prevention issues. Despite the importance of primary prevention, only half as many clinicians provide counseling on firearm injury prevention compared to other topics.
A study by Children's National Health System researchers found that regions with stronger firearm legislation had lower rates of Emergency Department visits for pediatric firearm-related injuries. The majority of these injuries were accidental, affecting children aged 6-10 most severely.
Research highlights the disparity in firearm injury rates among pediatric populations in urban and rural settings. Teenagers living in urban areas are disproportionately affected by firearm assaults, whereas children in rural areas face a higher risk of accidental firearm injuries. Accidental injuries were the leading cause of hospital...
Suicide rates in rural areas of Maryland are 35% higher than urban settings, driven by significantly greater use of firearms. Removing firearms from the equation reveals comparable suicide rates between rural and urban areas.
A new study found that humpback whales avoid loud ocean mining noise triggered by seismic air gun surveys, suggesting a clear avoidance reaction within a certain distance from the vessel. The research aims to improve current mitigation measures to prevent adverse effects of seismic air gun noise on large whale behavior.
New research from Iowa State University found that police officers' accuracy in detecting concealed weapons or threats is only slightly better than chance. The study's findings highlight the need for better training and research-based approaches to threat detection.
A study by Oregon State University found that gun owners are more likely to engage in gun safety behaviors when given culturally tailored suicide prevention messages. The research suggests that messaging should respect the values and rights of gun owners, rather than using language that may inadvertently promote anti-firearm bias. Cult...
A study from the University of Washington found that only about three in five US firearm owners have received formal gun training, with notable gaps in content, particularly on warning signs of suicide. The lack of standardization and education on suicide prevention in firearm trainings has significant implications for public health.
Researchers found that generic drug prices rose significantly when market competition decreased, particularly in lower-priced drugs. The study suggests understanding the connection between competition and price may help identify older prescription drugs at higher risk for price changes in the future.
A new study found that more lethal weapons are being manufactured and sold for self-defense purposes, rather than recreational use. The study analyzed data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and found a significant increase in the production of high-caliber pistols and rifles between 2004 and 2015.
A study by Stroebe et al. found that fear of crime alone doesn't explain the need for personal protection; a general sense of threat about the world's danger also plays a role. Conservative political beliefs are stronger predictors than past experience with crime victimization.
Analyzing millions of internet searches tied to major societal events offers a new way to understand public reaction. In the study, firearm-related searches more than doubled after the Sandy Hook shooting incident, with retail websites being the most visited sites.
A review article highlights the prevalence of pediatric firearm-related injuries in the US, with approximately 20,000 children transported to Emergency Departments each year. Pediatricians can play a pivotal role in reducing these injuries by asking patients about access to firearms, encouraging safe storage, and supporting research in...
A comprehensive national database of state firearms laws has been developed to gauge the impact of laws intended to reduce firearm-related violence. The study found a significant increase in enacted state firearm provisions nationwide, but also identified disparities and inconsistencies between states.
New research presents findings that adolescents with mental health issues or past suicide attempts are more likely to have easy access to firearms, either in their own home or a friend's. This increases the risk of violent behavior and accidental death by guns.
Research reveals that over 5,800 US youth were hospitalized for firearm injuries in 2012, resulting in 16 children per day. The study found that most injuries among 15- to 19-year-olds were the result of assault, while nearly 90% of gunshot patients were male and over half were Black.
After two high-profile mass shootings, California's handgun sales spiked by 53% and 85% in the following weeks. The study found that these spikes were driven by increased concern over personal security, with many individuals motivated to acquire firearms for self-protection.
Following mass shootings, there are sharp increases in handgun acquisitions in California, with significant spikes seen among white and Hispanic persons. Researchers suggest this may lead to substantial increases in firearm ownership.
Research finds high levels of lead exposure at firing ranges, with risks similar between indoor and outdoor ranges. The study recommends reevaluating allowable lead levels, improving education on lead-exposure risks, and finding lead-free substitutes for bullets and primer.
A new study finds gunshot wounds in Miami-Dade County cluster in poor, black neighborhoods, with a fatality rate of 15.4%. The researchers call for urgent community engagement and prevention strategies to reduce firearm violence.
Researchers developed a clinical risk index tool to gauge future firearm violence risk among urban youth, considering peer and partner violence, community exposure, and family influences. The SaFETy score demonstrates superior predictive power, helping emergency physicians identify high-risk individuals and tailor preventative services.
A newly discovered pistol shrimp species has been named Synalpheus pinkfloydi in recognition of Pink Floyd's influence. The bright pink-clawed shrimp creates a loud sonic energy similar to the band's iconic sound.
Research on osteoporosis medications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) found mixed results regarding benefits and harms. Bisphosphonates may slow BMD loss but effects on fractures and safety are unclear. More research is needed to determine the best options for patients across CKD spectrum.
A recent study by Arizona State University professors found no evidence of the Ferguson effect in Chicago. However, they did discover a strong association between firearms availability and gun violence, supporting Former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton's argument.
A study published in CMAJ found that Canadian-born children and youth are at a higher risk of unintentional gun injury compared to immigrant children and youth. The study identified certain subgroups of immigrants as being at higher risk of assault-related injury, particularly those from Africa and Central America.
A Stanford Medicine study found that gun violence resulted in significant national medical costs, with the government bearing a large share of the burden. The study estimated total hospital costs for firearm-related injuries over a nine-year period and highlighted the need for fact-based research to inform health policy decisions.
A study found that American adults who survive deliberate self-harm are at increased risk of suicide in the following year. Firearm-related self-harm was associated with the highest suicide risk, with males and older, white adults being disproportionately affected.
A recent study published in The Laryngoscope found that substantial noise exposures occur in occupational and recreational settings, with only a small percentage of those exposed wearing recommended hearing protection. Firearms use is a significant contributor to noise exposure, with only 58% of gun owners using hearing protection.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that racial disparities in firearm injuries are more strongly associated with race than neighborhood income levels. The researchers argue that establishing a national database on gun violence incidents is crucial to understanding and addressing this public health problem.
A recent analysis found that Black civilians were over twice as likely to be unarmed when fatally shot by US police in 2015 compared to their white counterparts. The study also revealed that civilians from other minority groups were more likely not to pose a threat to officers or others.