Articles tagged with Gun Violence
A recent study found that 10% of firearm injury survivors will be readmitted to the hospital within 90 days, highlighting a significant burden of morbidity. The researchers also discovered a 30% increased risk of readmission among those with firearm injuries compared to occupant motor vehicle injury patients.
A study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association notes that elderly gun owners with dementia are at a high risk of suicide and accidental shootings. The authors argue that public policy, such as red flag laws, can help mitigate this risk by removing firearms from patients with cognitive impairment.
Physicians say firearms are within their lane, disagreeing with NRA's stance on gun violence prevention. The American College of Physicians is collaborating with the American Foundation for Firearm Injury Reduction in Medicine to provide funding for research and develop practice recommendations on firearm injury prevention.
A narrative inquiry study found that victims of urban gun violence experience everyday violence as a common occurrence, leading to feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness. The study identified four themes: prevailing nature of everyday violence, feeling abandoned by societal institutions, living in a context of reactive violence, an...
The study found that communities with lower rates of social interactions, higher income inequality, and a shortage of mental health professionals are more likely to experience mass shootings. These communities also tend to have higher housing costs and lower levels of leisure-time physical activity.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found a link between state-level gun ownership and police shooting deaths, with the strongest association among armed victims. The rate of fatal police shootings was 3.6 times higher in states with high gun prevalence.
A study by University of Kansas professors found that mass shootings create a brief window of opportunity for policymakers to pass gun law reforms, with anxious people supporting changes in ideology and politics. However, this effect is short-lived as the public's emotional response to anxiety changes how they think about politics.
The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma recommends stricter regulations on semi-automatic rifle sales, booster accessories and high-volume ammunition to reduce firearm-related injuries. The AAST aims to address the complex issue of gun violence through research, innovation, technology and cooperation.
An observational study found that the caliber of a firearm is associated with the likelihood of death from a gunshot, with medium- and large-caliber guns increasing the odds of fatality. The study analyzed data on 367 cases, including 183 fatal and 184 non-fatal shootings.
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.
Rutgers University researchers found that gun safety programs for children do not prevent them from handling firearms in real-world scenarios. The studies reviewed by the researchers showed that even children who initially followed rules after training did not use their safety skills weeks later when faced with a nonfunctional gun.
A study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that parents think PG-13 movies with unjustified gun violence are more suitable for 16-year-olds than those with justified violence. Parents also reported becoming desensitized to violence when repeatedly exposed to it, but this was more pronounced in scenes without justification.
Research highlights gun suicides disproportionately affect older, married white men experiencing declining health. Financial stressors also play a role in younger age groups. Tailored interventions and gun ownership registry measures may help reduce mortality associated with gun suicides.
Researchers analyzed data on intimate partner homicide in North Carolina between 2004-2013. They found that guns were the primary weapon in 7 out of 10 cases, leading to an average of 50% more deaths compared to similar crimes committed with other weapons.
A new study reveals a rapid rise in mass school shootings in the US over the past 18 years, with 66 people killed and 81 injured since the start of the 21st century. The authors call for policy and legislative actions to address the alarming trend, including expanded background checks and mental health support.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that more high school students in Chicago reported carrying guns between 2007 and 2013 compared to those in New York and Los Angeles. The study found a strong correlation between gun carrying and exposure to violence risk factors, suggesting a link to the city's spike in gun violence in 2016.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine analysis shows that trauma patients are four times more likely to die from gunshot wounds and nearly nine times more likely to die from stab wounds before getting to a trauma center. The increased prehospital mortality suggests that violence is intensifying.
A study of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that most Americans have suboptimal cardiovascular health. The study also revealed racial disparities in cardiovascular health, with rates of optimal health remaining below 40% for whites, 25% for Mexican Americans, and 15% for African Americans.
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.
A recent study by University of Delaware professors found that while interventions for stigma-based bullying have increased, their implementation and evaluation need improvement. The researchers suggest increasing the capacity of school health professionals to address LGBTQ bullying and developing strategies to reduce stereotypes and p...
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.
A randomized controlled study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that restoring vacant urban land significantly reduced crime, including gun violence, and increased feelings of safety among residents. The approach has been shown to be quick, inexpensive, and scalable.
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 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...
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals a significant increase in non-powder gun-related eye injuries among US children over a 23-year period. The rate of such injuries rose nearly 170%, accounting for 11% of all eye injuries and almost half of hospitalizations during this time.
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.
Gun violence in US cities like Washington D.C. shows an endemic pattern, with clustering in certain neighborhoods rather than spreading rapidly. Researchers recommend place-based interventions targeting neighborhood features to reduce crime rates.
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 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 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.
Three people were treated for serious eye injuries after being shot with Nerf guns, including a child who developed swelling in the cornea and retina. Doctors urge parents to consider protective eyewear when allowing children to play with these guns.
The Asking Saves Kids (ASK) campaign has been shown to increase caregivers' comfort level in asking about guns in a home where their child plays. A study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference found that after ASK education, 85% of caregivers felt comfortable asking about guns, up from only 44% before.
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 found that gun violence prevention groups promote a balance between individual rights and responsibilities, advocating for universal background checks, restrictive firearms policies, and cultural changes. These efforts have led to policy changes, company bans on open carrying, and increased public support.
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.
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 new study from Duke University and the University of California, Davis, found no marked improvement in the survival rate of U.S. gunshot victims over the past decade. The researchers analyzed data from 2003 to 2012 and discovered problems with data collection and coding, leading to an incorrect assumption of a decline in fatality rates.
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.
A five-year national study found that regions with stronger gun laws had significantly fewer firearm-related pediatric emergency department visits. The study suggests an association between regional gun laws and firearm-related injuries in children, with stricter laws linked to lower incidence rates.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
The study found that when a gun is used in domestic disputes, women are less likely to incur injury but substantially more likely to be frightened. This highlights the coercive control aspect of using a gun to intimidate and maintain power dynamics.
A Northwestern University study of 25 years of data reveals a persistent connection between economic insecurity and the rate of gun violence at US schools. The researchers found that periods of heightened unemployment are associated with an increased risk of school shootings.
Researchers from top universities issue an agenda for action on gun safety, promoting discourse around gun safety rather than control. They propose collaborations with opponents, engaging private industry in evidence-based initiatives to reduce gun-related injuries and deaths.
New research reveals that heartbeat signals can increase racial biases when facing a potential threat, leading to misperceptions of harmless objects as weapons. This study has important implications for tackling police shootings and reducing tragedies caused by racial bias.
Research reveals that top-grossing PG-13 movies have more frequent and graphic gun violence than comparable R-rated films, with little attention to consequences. The study suggests that Hollywood prioritizes action-oriented films over responsible portrayals of gun violence, raising concerns about its impact on children.
The latest collection of articles in JAMA Internal Medicine explores firearm violence in urban areas, with studies focusing on adolescent firearm homicides and social contagion through networks. The research aims to reduce the disproportionate impact of firearm violence on minority populations.
A study found gun violence research receives significantly less funding and publication volume than other leading causes of death, including sepsis and motor vehicle accidents. This disparity affects vulnerable communities disproportionately.
Research found that US school shootings were lower in states with mandatory background checks on gun purchases and higher spending on mental health services and public education. The study analyzed media coverage of school shootings between 2013-2015, finding a link between state-level factors and the frequency of these incidents.
Researchers found that for every 10-20 instances of temporary gun seizures, one suicide was prevented. The study suggests that risk-based gun removal laws could help identify people at increased risk of violence but without a history of violence.
A new study linked Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' self-defense law to a 24% increase in homicide rates and 31% rise in firearm-related injuries from 2005-2014. The research suggests the law's extension of lethal force rights in public led to increased violence, particularly among young adults and white populations.