Articles tagged with Gun Violence
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that over 7% of Americans have thought about shooting someone, while 8.7 million adults considered it in the last year. Firearm owners were no more likely to have these thoughts than non-owners, but 21% of those who had thoughts said they would consider giving their gun to someone for safekeeping.
A new study by Columbia University researchers introduces four novel metrics to assess progress on gun violence prevention, highlighting the decline of shooting-free days in major US cities. The study suggests that these metrics can identify protective conditions and inform policy to sustain longer periods without firearm violence.
A Rutgers Health study reveals increased intentions to purchase firearms and carry them among specific groups following the 2024 presidential election. Liberal beliefs are associated with greater impulses to carry firearms and store them more accessibly.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that children whose parents were injured by firearms experience substantial mental health impacts, with a 42% increase in psychiatric diagnoses and 60% increase in mental health visits. Early, targeted interventions are needed to address this growing need.
A hospital-based program supporting gun and knife violence victims can halve the likelihood of future harm, according to a Boston University study. Regular engagement with the Violence Intervention Advocacy Program reduced the risk of being revictimized or committing violence by 50 percent two to three years after discharge.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that US Congress members' social media responses to mass shootings vary along party lines. Democratic congressmembers are more likely to post about guns, framing their responses in terms of community, victims, and legislature, whereas Republican members focus on Second Amendment righ...
A review of 467 studies confirms that firearm ownership increases suicides, intensifies psychological fragility, and amplifies violence. Safe storage of firearms reduces but does not eliminate the risk, researchers say.
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 blueprint for reducing firearms harms has been presented, suggesting investments in community-based initiatives and advancements in firearm technologies. The experts also recommend reframing gun violence as a public health issue and supporting coordinated action at federal, state, and local levels.
A new study by UMass Amherst and Brennan Center researchers found that mass shootings increase local voter turnout, particularly in Democratic areas, but have no effect on presidential vote choices. Turnout surged by up to 10 percentage points in neighborhoods near shootings.
The report proposes initiatives to reduce firearm violence, including using AI and addressing social causes. It also highlights the need for primordial prevention, which involves changing inequitable social structures to prevent 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.
A WSU-led study shows firearm-related deaths are increasing dramatically among high school youth, with 3,224 deaths in 2022 compared to 1,945 in 2001. The research highlights the need for adapted firearm safety guidance tailored to developmental stages.
In-home gun homicides of children have more than doubled since 2010, with nearly two-thirds of child victims aged 12 and under killed at home. The study found that these cases are often linked to intimate partner violence and child abuse, with parents being the most common assailants.
Researchers found nearly one in four children with firearm injuries returned to the emergency room within four years with another violent or crash-related injury. The study suggests a significant association between motor vehicle crashes and firearm injury, indicating a need for prevention strategies.
A new study finds that gun injuries result in an estimated $7.7 billion in hospital costs for the US healthcare system between 2016 and 2021. The majority of these costs, 52%, were billed to Medicaid, highlighting the financial burden on safety-net hospitals serving vulnerable populations.
Firearm suicides among youth ages 10-24 were more likely to involve a parent-owned gun, with 69% of firearms stored unlocked and loaded. The study emphasizes the importance of secure firearm storage in preventing youth suicide, particularly among those with mental health problems.
Research by Mass General Brigham reveals association between witnessing neighborhood violence and insufficient sleep in adolescents, leading to increased violent behaviors such as carrying a weapon. The study analyzed data from over 40,000 teenagers, finding strong links between sleep loss and exposure to violence.
Children living in low-opportunity neighborhoods are more than 20 times likely to be hospitalized for gun injuries compared to those in high-opportunity areas. Unintentional shootings account for the majority of these cases.
A new study found that firearm suicides are rising sharply among older women, with nearly 40% of suicides involving firearms in 2014-2023. The trend outpaces older men, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to mitigate firearm suicides among all older adults.
A CU Boulder-led initiative reduced youth violence and arrests by 75% in Denver's Montbello and Park Hill neighborhoods through a 'violence prevention infrastructure'. The program worked with community organizations to provide training, screenings, and positive adult role models, leading to lasting impacts.
A study by Annenberg Public Policy Center found that firearm use in popular US movies increased by 200% from 2000 to 2021, mirroring the rise in firearm homicide rates among young people aged 15-24. The research suggests that portrayal of guns in entertainment may play a role in promoting their use for violent purposes.
Researchers found that murder-suicide events occurred at an average of 820 deaths annually between 2016-2022, with the majority involving current or former intimate partners. Strengthening domestic violence screening and intervention programs is crucial to prevent these tragic outcomes.
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 led by Boston University School of Public Health reveals that US excess deaths have been increasing for decades, with working-age adults disproportionately affected. The study found that over 1.5 million 'missing Americans' would have been averted if the US had mortality rates similar to other high-income countries.
A national study by Rutgers researchers found that nearly two-thirds of US adults have experienced some form of in-person gun violence, with Black and Hispanic adults more likely to be exposed. The study also revealed significant racial disparities in media-based exposure, with Black adults reporting the highest levels of exposure.
A new study suggests that most US school shooters came from social backgrounds where guns were a key part of their lives, often for family bonding. Researchers found that all shooters had easy access to the firearms they used, which contributed to the tragedy.
A Rutgers Health study surveyed 27 research assistants working on a multistate firearm violence project, finding that 26% lacked emotional support outside their teams. Research assistants used short breaks (89%) and informal peer interactions (41%) to cope with the emotionally difficult topics.
A national survey of 8,009 adults found that frequent exposure to gun violence is associated with increased depression, suicidal ideation, and need for mental health support. The study also highlights the importance of addressing interpersonal violence in suicide prevention efforts.
A new report by Michigan State University and Michigan Public Health Institute found that shootings in Lansing fell after the implementation of a prevention program, with some variations between years and communities. The Advance Peace Lansing program employs fellows to engage with individuals affected by gun violence.
A new study finds that firearm homicide rates rose faster among youth than adults during the second half of the pandemic, with adolescent age groups showing no sign of decreasing. Gun violence prevention programs for school-aged children are urgently needed to address this persistent rise in firearm homicide rates.
Defensive gun use is a rare occurrence despite gun violence exposure, suggesting that perceived threats may not necessitate action. The study highlights the potential consequences of defensive gun use, emphasizing the need for accurate risk assessment in firearm policies.
Less than 1% of people with firearm access engage in defensive use annually, with most firearm users never using their weapons for self-defense. Those who have experienced gun violence or quick access to firearms are more likely to perceive threats and respond defensively.
A survey study found that US adults have regular exposure to mass shootings, which disproportionately affects younger generations and males. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the broader impacts of gun violence on public health and community well-being.
A new study finds Americans are willing to pay nearly $100 billion for policies that reduce gun violence by 20%. The research, conducted by Duke University and the University of Chicago, shows widespread support from all demographics for stronger intervention. With a national WTP estimate of $97.6 billion, Americans are willing to inve...
A new Stanford Medicine-led study found that 59% of kids who die in mass shootings were at the hands of a family member. The research highlights the need to protect children from firearm injuries and domestic violence, emphasizing that homes may be more dangerous than schools.
A study by the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center found that a majority of adults believe home firearm access protects against home invasions, but many also underestimate its impact on suicide risk. The researchers suggest that misinformation from the firearms industry and media may contribute to these skewed perceptions.
A study by New York University researchers found that public policies addressing economic security, alcohol consumption, and safety restrictions can effectively prevent suicide deaths in the US. Policies with strong evidence include those improving economic security, limiting access to alcohol, and restricting lethal means.
A new study found that nearly two-thirds of schools in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood had at least one gun incident within 400 meters of where children were walking home during the 2021-22 school year. The researchers used acoustic sensors to detect gunshots and found that children are exposed to violence on their way to and from sch...
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 new long-term study of gun usage found that most gun carriers began to carry in adulthood, not adolescence. Adult-onset carriers were more persistent in their carrying and had a different pattern of exposure to violence, whereas adolescent-onset carriers were associated with direct exposure to gun violence.
A recent special issue of Criminology & Public Policy explores the impact of legislative policies, criminal justice practices, and community-based efforts on gun violence. The studies featured in this issue aim to provide timely solutions to addressing this significant concern in the United States.
The University of Michigan School of Public Health and Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention will evaluate a community-led, school-based secure firearm storage campaign in Michigan. The study aims to assess the impact on attitudes, norms, and behaviors among adults and prevent adolescent firearm violence.
A new study analyzing state gun laws found that laws banning large-capacity magazines were associated with the greatest significant reduction of child deaths in mass shootings. The odds of a child dying from a mass shooting were decreased by 91% in states with such bans.
The Centre for Research and Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims argues that the prevalence of homicide grief in Black communities is a pandemic. The researchers recommend strategies such as promoting research, enhancing early detection, and improving culturally responsive support services to address this issue.
A study found that pediatricians were more likely to deliver a secure gun storage program when receiving a 'nudge' or extra staff support, resulting in a significant increase from 2% to 49% of doctors. The findings suggest that even minimal resources can be effective in promoting this critical conversation.
A new study found that 45% of police shootings occurred in rural zip codes and 22% in suburban areas from 2015-2020. The study also revealed racial disparities in injury rates across urban-rural continuum, with Black and Native American residents disproportionately affected.
A study by Rutgers University found that indirect gun violence exposure significantly hurts quality of life. Witnessing or hearing about a shooting in the neighborhood was associated with a decrease in overall quality of life and well-being across five domains.
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.
Researchers discovered that state firearm access laws significantly reduced firearm suicides among young adults. Implementing permit to purchase laws was associated with a 39% decrease in firearm suicides and a 14% decrease in overall suicide rates among this age group.
Rutgers University research reveals that 60% of Black Americans are exposed to gun violence, with exposure predicting elevated rates of disability. Exposure types vary between men and women, with different associations found for various disabilities in each sex.
New research from Boston Children's Hospital found a significant correlation between historic redlining and present-day non-suicide firearm fatalities. Areas graded as 'hazardous' in the 1930s have nearly six times more non-suicide firearm fatalities today compared to areas graded 'best'.
A new study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that Interstate 95 is a key connection for moving guns up and down the East Coast. The researchers identified previously unidentified 'Iron Pipelines' throughout the country, highlighting the complexity of gun traffic along this corridor.
A new study found that nighttime gunshots are twice as common as daytime gunshots in American cities, potentially disrupting the sleep of nearby residents due to loud sirens. Low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by these sounds, with millions of person nights potentially impacted annually.
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.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded UC Davis Health a three-year, $3 million grant to support research into the causes and complexities of gun violence disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities. The grant will focus on marginalized community violence prevention scholars, building diversity and developing progr...
A new study analyzing California gun data found that guns lost or stolen are three times more likely to be used in a crime, while cheap, semiautomatic, and large caliber handguns are also at higher risk. The study suggests securing firearms from theft or loss should be a primary focus for preventing firearm-related crimes.
The study found that non-Hispanic Black people were disproportionately injured in nonfatal shootings by police, with 35% lower odds of fatal injury when shot. Police responses initiated by a call to emergency dispatchers were also more likely to end with a fatal shooting injury.
A Rutgers Health study found that nearly 1 in 3 Black adults and half of American Indian/Alaskan Native adults keep firearms at home, with most using them for personal protection. Gun violence exposure is also common, with over 40% reporting knowing someone who has been shot or being threatened with a firearm.
A substantial percentage of American Indian or Alaska Native and Black US adults reported living with loaded and unlocked firearms, frequent carry outside the home, and gun violence exposure. This highlights the need for nuanced public health campaigns and policies addressing racial disparities and changing legal frameworks.