A new analysis suggests that Oregon's voter-approved gun control measure led to a significant increase in firearm purchases, with thousands more firearms entering the state than would have otherwise. The study found that background checks surged nearly 14% before the election and then jumped 157% after the measure passed.
A new study found consistent summertime peaks in both mass shootings and suicide deaths in the US, indicating a possible link between the two. The researchers observed seasonal fluctuations in these forms of violence, raising the possibility that mass shootings may share risk pathways with suicidal behavior.
SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Biological Rhythms·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 24, 2026
A new analysis by UC Berkeley researchers found that 'red flag' laws significantly reduced firearm suicides in four states that implemented the laws. The study estimates that these laws prevented over 675 suicides between 2023 and 2024. Non-firearm suicide rates remained unchanged.
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.
A new study of emerging adults reveals deep divisions in sentiments about firearms, with those fearing mass violence more likely to oppose firearm restrictions, except among young Republicans, conservatives, and men who view expanded access to guns as a solution.
Research found that states with stronger gun control legislation experienced lower rates of in-home pediatric firearm homicides, often associated with child abuse and intimate partner violence. The study suggests strengthening laws at the state level may help prevent these incidents.
Researchers found that firearm owners prioritize household members' safety over their own self-protection when deciding on temporary storage. Gun owners are willing to store firearms with retailers or law enforcement agencies, with 34% open to storing with law enforcement.
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.
Researchers found that 'Shall Issue' regulations contribute to a significant increase in handgun purchases, with over 70% driven by repeat gun buyers. In contrast, 'Permitless Carry' policies showed no noticeable effect on gun purchases.
A study finds that engaging with balanced facts on gun control leads to more moderate policy views, even a month later. The research challenges the idea that people become entrenched in their views due to information, suggesting that accurate information can promote a healthier discourse and depolarize individuals.
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.
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.
A major US study found that around a third of Chicago residents carry concealed firearms by middle age, with differences in gun carrying between men and women. Gun carrying in adolescence often occurs in response to direct experiences of violence, while adults are more likely to carry due to perceived threats to public safety.
A cross-sectional study found that universal background checks alone are ineffective in reducing firearm homicide rates, but permit requirements significantly lower these rates. Combining both measures could be an effective strategy to reduce firearm-related fatalities.
A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that states with gun permit laws see firearm homicide rates 18% lower than those with universal background check policies alone. Gun permits are associated with decreases in firearm fatalities due to their ability to record lower-level crimes and update criminal databases more consistently.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals that nearly half of Las Vegas concertgoers who survived the 2017 mass shooting experienced major depressive episodes within the past year. The study also found that over 63% of survivors reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the same time period.
A new study reveals that gun manufacturers have shifted their marketing strategy to appeal to women, portraying them as responsible and capable gun owners. The study found that the 'serious student' framing became popular between 2016 and 2020, depicting armed American women as pursuing expertise with firearms through focused training.
A recent study by researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering found that NYC is the safest among large US cities in terms of gun violence. The study used a data analytics measure called Scale-Adjusted Metropolitan Indicators (SAMIs) to filter out population effects and compare cities of different sizes.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that Black women in the US are murdered at rates 6 times higher than white women, with gun deaths also disproportionately affecting them. The findings highlight the urgent need to address structural racism and inequities in homicide trends.
A UMass Lowell researcher has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant to study the effectiveness of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) in preventing mass public shootings. The research aims to analyze how such laws impact gun violence and provide insights into data interpretation, social media behavior, and warning signs.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Medicine Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2022
A new study reveals that veterans tend to be more receptive to certain forms of gun control, such as restrictions on military-style rifles and extended waiting periods for handgun purchases. Researchers found that combat veterans are more supportive of restricting civilian access to powerful firearms in order to ensure public safety.
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.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that relaxing concealed firearm laws led to a 12.9% increase in officer-involved shootings with civilian victims in 10 US states. Four states saw significantly higher rates, including Missouri and West Virginia.
Firearm injuries and associated healthcare costs are highest in the poorer South, but federal state programmes cover only a third of these expenses. The researchers argue that this is tantamount to an 'anti-poor policy'.
SourceBMJ Group·JournalTrauma Surgery & Acute Care Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2022
A study by a researcher at American University found that Massachusetts gun-control legislation had no immediate impact on reducing four types of violent crime, including murder, aggravated assault, and robbery. The study suggests that lawmakers should revisit their legislation to ensure it is being implemented as intended.
Researchers found that candidates' pro-gun messages and NRA funding influence voters' evaluations, with racial resentment moderating the effects. Voters who own guns or are racially resentful were more likely to support candidates with similar views, while those low in racial resentment preferred pro-gun control candidates.
Researchers found that people tend to express themselves in terms of support instead of opposition on social media, regardless of the opinion's positivity or negativity. This phenomenon holds true for various topics, including gun control, same-sex marriage, and self-isolation during COVID-19 outbreaks.
A new study by researchers at NYU School of Global Public Health found that most US states have passed laws preserving state authority over firearms policies. The vast majority of these states use preemption to support gun rights and remove communities' authority to enact gun control protections.
A team of Brown University computer scientists has devised a way to implement a national gun registry that protects privacy and allows counties to control their data. The proposed system uses advanced encryption and decentralized data control, allowing authorized users to search the database without decrypting it.
A new study found that Americans significantly underestimated public support for key gun safety policies, including universal background checks and mandatory waiting periods. When people learned about the true levels of support, they were more likely to express stronger public support in both private and public settings.
A new study suggests that interacting with online content may change how we consume it, as people tend to focus on self-expression over engagement. When participants could vote on articles agreeing with their views, their attitudes became stronger and time spent reading decreased.
A majority of US gun owners support measures such as universal background checks, permit requirements, and prohibitions for individuals with domestic violence restraining orders. However, most report not vocally supporting these policies due to feelings of disrespect by health advocates.
A study by University of Otago researchers found that media coverage of the Christchurch mosque shootings contributed to an increase in public support for gun control. The decision not to name the shooter and focus on the issue's broader implications reduced the risk of copycat events and generated bipartisan support for reform.
A national public opinion survey found strong support for over twenty gun violence prevention policies among Americans, including extreme risk protection orders and universal background checks. Gun owners and non-gun owners alike showed broad agreement on these measures.
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 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 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...
Research found that adopting stricter state gun laws is associated with reduced rates of weapon carrying and perceived threats among students. This study highlights the need for stronger gun control policies to improve school safety.
Research reveals that US states with more relaxed gun control laws and higher gun ownership rates experience higher rates of mass shootings. The gap between permissive and restrictive states has widened in recent years, with rates falling in restrictive states and rising in permissive ones.
A new study by researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that individuals with access to guns were approximately 18 times more likely to have threatened someone with a gun, while most mental health symptoms were unrelated to gun violence. Limiting access to guns is key to reducing gun violence.
A study by University of Kansas professors finds that most people overestimate the number of US gun owners, with 75% of respondents estimating more than 50% own firearms. This overestimation could influence gun policy attitudes.
A Stanford study found that lax state gun laws are associated with higher rates of firearm-related fatalities among children and teenagers. States with stricter gun control legislation have lower rates of firearm-related suicides among youth.
A study by University of Kansas researchers found that gun owners are a strong political group who hold significant influence despite being a minority in American politics. The study suggests that the growing politicization of gun ownership is driving increased political participation among gun owners, with implications for gun control...
A study of youth opinions on guns and regulation found that most young people support stricter gun control laws to prevent mass shootings. The majority of survey respondents believed that these laws could help reduce the frequency and severity of such incidents.
A national public opinion survey finds widespread agreement on key gun policies, with minimal gaps in support between gun owners and non-gun owners. The majority of respondents (85.3% of gun owners and 88.7% of non-gun owners) support universal background checks.
A new study found that stronger firearm laws are associated with fewer crime guns originating from neighboring states. The researchers analyzed data from 2006-2016 and found that states with more lax gun laws had a higher percentage of traced in-state crime guns.
Experts argue that scientific progress can generate harm, while researchers propose a revised standard for disclosing incidental findings. Bioethicist Daniel Callahan also suggests delaying technological innovation to consider its consequences. Additionally, experts like Sean Philpott-Jones advocate for concrete policy measures on gun ...
New research published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that gun laws in Australia stopped mass shootings altogether between 1996 and 2018, with no incidents reported during this period.
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 Stanford study analyzes recent research on the causes of gun violence in the United States, finding a link between right-to-carry laws and higher violent crime rates. The study suggests that lifting restrictions on concealed carry guns increases violent crime, while laws restricting gun ownership for people convicted of domestic ...
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 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.