Articles tagged with Gun Violence
A new study by Boston University researchers indicates that citizens are likely to know a gun violence victim, highlighting the issue's prevalence in American society. The study used CDC data from 2013 and found that nearly all Americans have a 99.85% chance of knowing someone who has experienced gun violence.
Since gun law reform in 1996, Australia has seen an accelerating decline in intentional firearm deaths and an absence of fatal mass shootings. Key findings include a significant acceleration in the downward trend for firearm suicides and a non-significant acceleration in the downward trend in firearm homicides.
A new study analyzed the gun use, violent crime, and suicide rates of 81,704 people with serious mental illnesses in Florida. The research found that nearly four times the average suicide rate occurred among these individuals, highlighting a significant public health concern.
Experts recommend that physicians counsel patients about firearms as part of routine care, focusing on well-being and safety, especially for children. The review paper addresses common misconceptions and provides resources for clinicians and patients to address firearm-related injuries.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers found that three-strikes laws increase fatal and non-fatal assaults on officers by 33% and 62%, respectively. In contrast, permit-to-purchase handgun laws appear to protect law enforcement officers against handgun assaults, with Missouri's repeal associated with...
A review of 130 studies across 10 countries found that firearm-related laws led to declines in firearm homicide and suicide rates. Laws regulating background checks and storage also showed specific reductions in certain types of gun deaths.
The journal has devoted its first special issue to gun violence, with notable findings including household gun ownership increasing risk of gun suicide and statutes restricting DVROs reducing fatal intimate partner violence.
Gun violence claims thousands of lives in the US annually, with experts arguing that a public health approach is needed to address the issue. The 1997 funding freeze has hindered research into gun policies and safety, but experts propose steps such as tracking gun ownership and improving community training.
Researchers found that young Black boys' faces trigger thoughts of guns and violence, even at a young age. This bias affects automatic social cognition and can shape perceptions of Black Americans as hostile and violent.
Researchers observed a female orangutan being killed by another female, with a male recruited as a hired gun. Female-female aggression is rare, and the case defies typical patterns of joint coalitional killings.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found a substantial association between state-level firearm ownership rates and killings of women by guns. State gun ownership rates explain 40 percent of the variation in women's homicide victimization rates, compared to just 1.5 percent for men.
A survey of nearly 4,000 people found that 60% of Americans would buy a smart or childproof gun, debunking the argument that there is no market for such guns. The technology uses fingerprint or RFID verification to prevent unauthorized use.
A new report by Ohio State University researchers highlights the similarities in prevention approaches for school rampage shootings and street violence, despite differences in demographics and risk factors. The study emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach to prevent youth violence, including strengthening families, reducing ac...
A comprehensive review of youth gun violence highlights the need for a multifaceted approach, including strengthening families, reducing violent media effects, and improving school climates. The study also explores the potential use of online data mining to predict potential youth violence.
Research by AU School of Public Affairs professor Taryn Morrissey found that mothers with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were less likely to ensure car seat safety and have working smoke detectors. The study also linked households with gun ownership to increased risk of firearm-related injuries among children.
In Trinidad and Tobago, ballistic imaging technology was hindered by inefficient processes, backlogs, and delayed information transmission. The country's Integrated Ballistics Information System (IBIS) generated few hits due to database delays and insufficient evidence input.
A study found that more restrictive gun laws were associated with lower rates of youth gun carrying in the US. The analysis of state-level gun law scores and adult gun ownership levels revealed a 10-point increase in gun law score was linked to 9% lower odds of youth gun carrying.
A special issue of Preventive Medicine addresses firearm violence, highlighting its impact on public health and the need for increased funding. The article presents key findings on the relationship between alcohol abuse, gun ownership, self-defensive gun use, and criminal acquisition of firearms.
A new study found that the US had a disproportionate number of public mass shooters, with 31% of global incidents occurring on American soil. The study suggests that civilian firearm ownership rates are a strong predictor of a nation's number of public mass shooters.
A new study found that police officers serving in states with high private gun ownership are more than three times more likely to be killed on the job. States with higher gun ownership rates had a stronger relationship between public gun exposure and officer homicide rates.
Researchers found a significant decrease in serious crimes in areas around remediated buildings, including a 39% reduction in gun assaults. The study suggests that making buildings safer can improve health outcomes and reduce crime.
A recent study found that nearly a third of US adults own guns, with a higher prevalence among white married men over 55. Gun ownership is also linked to social gun culture, where family or friends also own guns or engage in activities involving firearms.
The article discusses the impact of mass shootings on individuals and communities, highlighting the need for proactive strategies to prevent gun violence. Commentaries from experts offer scientifically grounded solutions, including threat assessment strategies and community-based approaches to address fear and distrust.
A new report suggests that gun violence restraining orders can be a promising strategy for reducing firearm homicide and suicide in the US. GVROs allow family members or intimate partners to request an order from a civil court, authorizing law enforcement to remove guns from the individual's possession and prohibiting new purchases.
A new study published in the Journal of AAPOS found that rates of eye injuries from air guns increased by 511% between 2010 and 2012, with most cases occurring among minors. The authors suggest regulations and stricter marketing guidelines to prevent these preventable injuries.
A survey of Massachusetts police chiefs found that 90% favor keeping discretion in issuing concealed carry permits, citing the need for local knowledge to ensure public safety. Police chiefs reported rare discretionary denials, often due to violent behavior or mental health issues.
A study found that approximately 9% of adults in the US have a history of impulsive angry behavior and own or have access to firearms, with young middle-aged men being more likely to carry guns outside their homes.
The authors emphasize the need for national policies like background checks and restricting access to firearms by individuals with violent misdemeanor convictions or addiction histories. They also highlight the importance of assessing firearm risk in patients and acting on it, especially when mental illness is present.
Eight health professional organizations and the American Bar Association recommend reducing firearm-related injuries and death in the US through public health approaches. They advocate for criminal background checks, improved access to mental health care, and research into firearm violence causes.
The American College of Physicians and seven national health organizations, along with the American Bar Association, urge policymakers to implement measures reducing firearm-related harm. The organizations support a public health approach to address firearm injuries and fatalities.
A Yale University study reveals that strong neighborhood ties can shield community members from gun violence, reducing chronic trauma and stress. Community-based participatory research empowered 17 community members to gather data, showing a connection between social bonds and reduced exposure to gun violence.
A new study found that states with higher gun ownership rates experience a higher incidence of non-stranger firearms homicides, contradicting the claim that gun ownership deters violent crime. The study also found no significant relationship between gun ownership and stranger-on-stranger homicide rates.
Researchers analyzed recorded gun deaths in the US from 2000 to 2010, finding a significant disparity between racial groups. Gun deaths were twice as common among African-Americans as they were among white citizens, with rates rising in some states and falling in others.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania demonstrates the feasibility of using low-cost wearable inertial sensors to detect firearm usage with over 99% accuracy. The technology has the potential to enhance deterrence and detection of firearm use in community-supervised populations.
Researchers found that mass murderers with mental health problems are not typical of those who commit violent crimes, and most people with serious mental illness do not engage in violent acts. An evidence-based approach to limiting access to firearms for individuals with behavioral risk factors can reduce gun violence.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Missouri's 2007 handgun purchaser licensing law repeal contributed to a fourteen percent increase in the state's murder rate. The repeal was also associated with an additional 49 to 68 murders per year and a twenty-five percent increase in firearm homicides rates.
A Yale University study reveals that a person's social network is a key predictor of becoming a victim of gun homicide, even more so than race, age, gender, or poverty. The research found that individuals within the same social network are more likely to engage in similar risky behaviors.
A new study found that gun use in PG-13 movies has more than tripled since 1985, with an average of 700 segments featuring gun violence per film. The increased gun violence is concerning because it may be strengthening the 'weapons effect', where people become more aggressive after seeing a gun.
A new study published in PLoS One found a strong association between racism and gun ownership among white Americans. The research also revealed that those who oppose gun control tend to have stronger racial biases, are more conservative, and live in southern states.
Approximately 7,500 children are hospitalized each year due to gun-related injuries, with over 500 fatalities. A significant association was found between household firearm ownership and the percentage of gunshot wounds occurring in homes.
A Mayo Clinic psychiatrist argues that mass shootings are carefully planned and can be executed within a short time frame, making it difficult to restrict access to firearms for the mentally ill. The expert suggests that gun restriction among suicidal people works, but not necessarily in cases of mass shootings.
AUC Davis survey of 1,601 gun dealers found nearly unanimous support for denying gun purchases to individuals with prior convictions and serious mental illness. The survey also revealed strong support for existing policies denying handgun purchases to individuals convicted of aggravated assault or domestic violence.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers finds a robust correlation between estimated levels of gun ownership and actual gun homicides at the state level. The study, covering 30 years, found that each 1 percentage point increase in gun ownership is associated with a 0.9% increase in firearm homicide rate.
Research found a modest increase in publications on firearms among children and adolescents, but not as significant as expected. The study suggests that the Congressional action in 1996 may have led to increased funding for research on other causes of death.
A UC Irvine team measures how to best prevent bullet deaths by designing parameters for gun control. They found that reduced legal gun availability lowers domestic and one-on-one crime deaths, but armed citizens may save lives in rare mass shootings if trained to avoid accidentally shooting fleeing bystanders.
The US Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening for primary open-angle glaucoma. Two commentaries explore the physician's role in preventing gun violence, including the importance of discussing guns with elderly patients and advocating for mental health treatment.
A new study by the University of Michigan Injury Center found that nearly one in four young assault victims have a gun, mostly obtained illegally, which increases their risk for future firearm violence. The study also revealed high rates of substance use, fighting, and attitudes favoring retaliation among those with guns.
A symposium at a pediatric meeting will address how to protect youths from violence, with speakers discussing screen violence and aggression, violent media, guns and suicide, and community efforts to prevent gun violence. The event aims to translate research findings into actionable public health strategies.
A new study published in JAMA found that 129 out of 6,920 injured children suffered gunshot wounds, with 14% accessing unlocked, loaded guns. The study highlights the importance of storing firearms safely to prevent child deaths and injuries.
A UC Davis survey of over 1,600 gun retailers found that they frequently encounter and refuse attempts to make illegal purchases, but often fail to report them to law enforcement. Retailers support harsh sentences for both buyers and sellers involved in illicit activities.
Experts recommend physicians engage in gun policy dialogue, leveraging their skills in managing fears and providing mental health treatment. They can influence Congress through collective advocacy and lead by example.
Public health experts at Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research emphasize the need for evidence-based policies to prevent gun violence. Physicians are urged to engage in prevention efforts through strategies such as discussing guns with patients and advocating for change in Congress.
A majority of Americans (89%) support requiring universal background checks for all gun sales, while 83% back prohibiting high-risk individuals from owning guns. Gun owners and non-gun-owners show little difference in support for most policies aimed at reducing gun violence.
Experts urge a broad public health strategy to reduce US gun violence, drawing on evidence-based strategies from other public health threats. The authors suggest over a dozen recommendations, including taxes, smart guns, and education, to address the root causes of gun violence.
Garen Wintemute believes broader background checks and denials on gun purchases can reduce harm and ensure public safety. He cites research showing that individuals with a history of misdemeanor violent crime are nine times more likely to be arrested for violence later.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health report highlights policies and initiatives to reduce gun violence by reforming current gun laws. The key findings include easy access to large-capacity magazines facilitating higher casualties in mass shootings and prohibiting high-risk groups from owning guns.
A Mayo Clinic psychiatrist proposes four steps to curb military suicide: gun locks, improved depression care, better sleep monitoring, and more. The expert emphasizes the need for ongoing resources to prevent, diagnose, and treat psychiatric illnesses among service members.
A new nationwide study by UC Davis examines mortality rates and epidemiological aspects of stray-bullet shootings, finding that most victims were unaware of the events leading to their injuries. The study reveals that nearly one-third of victims were children and nearly half were female.
Studies found that stun gun use increases citizen injuries by 41% when solo and 47% when paired with other force methods, but officer safety is also heightened
A new study published in Communication Research found that playing violent shooting video games improves firing accuracy and influences players to aim for the head when using a real gun. Players who played violent games hit targets 33% more often and shot at the head 99% more frequently.