Articles tagged with Gun Violence
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.
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 new study found that mass shooting lockdown drills help children who have been exposed to violence feel safer, contradicting previous research conclusions. Lockdown drills may be a way to help students who have been exposed to violence feel safer in schools.
A recent analysis found that Black women in the USA have significantly higher homicide rates compared to their White peers, with disparities increasing from 1999 to 2020. Gun deaths among Black and White women also increased, with Black women being more likely to be killed by firearms.
A recent study found that Black adults exposed to gun violence were more likely to experience lifetime suicidal ideation and behavior. The research highlights the need for public health efforts to reduce both gun violence and suicide among this vulnerable population.
A Rutgers Health study found that Black adults exposed to gun violence are at increased risk for lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts. Nearly 49,000 people died from gun violence in 2021, with the overall suicide rate increasing by 44% among the Black population.
Officer-involved killings of unarmed Black individuals worsened sleep duration among Black respondents, while no adverse effects were found for white respondents. The study highlights the role of structural racism in shaping racial disparities in sleep health.
A 7-year analysis of a US national injury database found that female victims of gun violence are less likely to die than male victims, despite having similar injury severity. They also experience better outcomes with fewer complications after hospital admission.
Research compares US, Australian, and UK gun violence rates to mental illness rates, finding higher US rates without comparable differences in mental illness prevalence. Gun ownership and access to firearms are suggested as plausible but unproven explanations for the disparity.
A Rutgers University study found that many firearm owners view most secure storage practices as more effective at preventing suicide and unintentional shootings than theft prevention. Those who store loaded and unlocked firearms saw less value in storing unloaded, locked, and separated from ammunition.
Rahn Baily, MD, has made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry and healthcare reform through his research on health disparities, violence, and mental illness. He will receive the prestigious Solomon Carter Fuller Award for his outstanding achievements in addressing pressing societal needs.
A study led by Northwestern University found that a Chicago-based community violence intervention program reduced gun violence involvement by over 73% among participants. The program's alumni showed the best outcomes, with a significant decrease in assaults, robberies, and other gun-related violence.
A new study presents evidence that school redistricting is linked to spikes in shooting-related injuries in urban areas, with a 14% increase in incidents during redistricting events. The study suggests that social destabilization caused by redistricting may contribute to the increased violence.
A Rutgers study found diverse firearm owning communities across five states, including varying levels of risk for injury and death. States like Mississippi and Texas showed more dangerous behavior, while New Jersey residents were less likely to grow up in homes with firearms or use them unsafely.
A Rutgers study found that exposure to firearm violence, including witnessing or being victimized, is associated with poorer mental and physical health in Black and AI/AN adults. The study surveyed over 3,500 individuals and found that multiple types of gun violence exposure are particularly harmful.
A new study suggests that people who bought firearms during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have higher rates of recent suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, and intimate partner violence compared to other firearm owners and non-gun owners. Pandemic firearm buyers also tend to hold extreme beliefs, including anti-vaccination view...
Scientists estimate annual probability of a mass shooting in every US state and public places like schools, using statistical methods and computer simulations. The study finds that mass shootings are low-probability but high-consequence events.
Researchers analyzed data from 2014-2022 to calculate cumulative incidence rates of mass shooting event types. The study found that social-related mass shootings account for 27% of incidents, while domestic violence-related shootings are underreported, highlighting the need for awareness and support.
A recent study found that major US cities with larger proportions of Black residents are more likely to be affected by mass shooting events. The research suggests that addressing factors associated with structural racism could help prevent such incidents and reduce gun violence.
A study at Ohio State University found that viewing a one-minute gun safety video reduced the likelihood of children playing with a found firearm, including touching or reporting it to an adult. The study involved 226 children who watched either a car safety or gun safety video before playing with toys in a lab setting.
A new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital analyzed 10 years of data on unintentional firearm fatalities among children to investigate cases where children younger than 15 unintentionally killed themselves or another child with a firearm. The majority of victims were male, and most incidents occurred at the victim's residence.
A Rutgers University study found that some individuals, particularly women living alone in urban environments, are incorrectly classified as not owning firearms. This underreporting can lead to a lack of secure storage messaging and safety resources, increasing the risk of firearm injuries and deaths.
Researchers at Tulane University have identified a synthetic compound called dimethyl malonate that can prevent coagulopathy during massive hemorrhages. The study found that this compound inhibits excessive cellular metabolism, preventing the glycocalyx from shedding and causing bleeding to stop.
The US firearm crisis is preventable with practical public health solutions. Harm reduction and community engagement programs can reduce the impact on individuals, families, and communities. Legislative policies also hold promise, particularly safe storage laws, which correlate with reduced injury and death rates.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that US high school students who experience violence at school are more likely to carry weapons. The study analyzed data from over 28,000 participants and found that nearly half of males who experienced violence carried a weapon, as did nearly a third of fema...
A Rutgers University study found that Black adults, particularly women, who experience discrimination and crime are more likely to own firearms. The study also showed that firearm ownership is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts among Black adults.
A US study found that 56% of Black and Hispanic Chicagoans witnessed a shooting by age 40, while White residents were exposed to gun violence at less than half the rate. The average age for witnessing a shooting was just 14 years old, with nearly 7% of Black and Hispanic participants being shot before 40.
A new study found that fame-seekers plan their mass shootings as 'surprises,' carefully crafting them in ways that set them apart from previous incidents. Researchers analyzed data from 189 mass shootings between 1966 and 2021, finding that attacks by fame-seekers were about three times more surprising than those from non-fame-seekers.
A recent study found that the police murder of George Floyd led to a three-week spike in firearm assaults on U.S. police officers, but this trend quickly subsided. The researchers caution against using the term 'war on cops' and instead suggest focusing on evidence-based solutions to reduce violence.
Researchers found that rural counties bear a greater burden of firearm deaths, with higher rates of gun suicides and lower rates of gun homicides compared to urban counties. The divide in total intentional firearm deaths between urban and rural counties is increasing over time.
A Rutgers study finds that individuals who avoid COVID-19 precautions are more likely to buy firearms, especially those with liberal or moderate political views. These groups also tend to trust less scientific information and have concerns about physical attacks, leading them to prioritize firearm ownership as a means of self-protection.
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.
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.
A new study reveals that school shootings are associated with a 7-14% increase in stress-related emergency department visits in surrounding communities. The research also highlights the need to prevent gun violence to mitigate community-wide costs. School shootings were found to worsen mental health and increase health system costs.
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 new study by WVU economist Zachary Porreca found that gentrification can displace organized criminal activity, leading to a surge in gun violence in nearby neighborhoods. The study analyzed data on shootings and real estate across Philadelphia neighborhoods between 2011-2020.
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...