Blog
Hear from experts working to reduce firearm injury
Mental Illness and Reduction of Gun Violence and Suicide: Bringing Epidemiologic Research to Policy
Although there is a popular belief that mental illness results in violence, evidence from benchmark epidemiological studies show that most people with serious mental illness are never violent but have an increased risk of suicide, which accounts for over half of firearm related deaths in the United States.
Firearm-related Hospitalization and Risk for Subsequent Violent Injury, Death, or Crime Perpetration: A Cohort Study
This study demonstrated that patients with prior firearm-related hospitalization are at greater risk for subsequent firearm-related hospitalization, making it likely that they have a heightened risk for multiple violent victimizations or crime perpetration.
Prior Misdemeanor Convictions as a Risk Factor for Later Violent and Firearm-related Criminal Activity among Authorized Purchasers of Handguns
This retrospective cohort study found that handgun purchasers with a prior criminal history were at increased risk of future criminal activity, including firearm-related crimes.
Firearm Presence in Households of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
This cross-sectional study found a high prevalence of firearm prevalence and unsafe firearm storage practices in households with demented family members.
Yes, You Can: Physicians, Patients, and Firearms
Despite concern that local regulations prohibit physicians from asking about or providing counseling about firearm safety, this article finds that there are actually only rare exceptions where this is the case. This paper also summarizes the literature on current physician practices in asking and counseling about firearms, highlighting strategies to reduce patients' risk for firearm-related death or serious injury.
Differences Between New and Long-standing US Gun Owners: Results from a National Survey
This cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative probability-based online survey conducted in 2015 in the United States found that new gun owners were more likely to be younger, liberal, own fewer guns, and implement safe storage methods.
Feasibility and Acceptability of Interventions to Delay Gun Access in VA Mental Health Settings
In this paper, the VA was found to have a substantial role in addressing gun safety, particularly in implementing measures to delay gun access during high-risk periods for suicide.
Family Practice Physicians’ Firearm Safety Counseling Beliefs and Behaviors
Survey response by the American Academy of Family Physicians found that the majority of respondents rarely counseled patients about firearm safety, and many did not believe it to be a priority in their delivery of primary care.
Firearm Injury Prevention Counseling: Are We Missing the Mark?
This study found that pediatricians often underestimate the likelihood of their patients' families owning gun, making them less likely to engage in a conversation about firearm safety with those families.
Pediatricians’ Involvement in Gun Injury Prevention
In an effort to understand pediatricians' beliefs regarding firearm injury prevention, this study found that pediatricians in the United States believed firearm safety counseling was part of their responsibility, though many felt that they did not have time or sufficient training to do so.
Firearm Injury Prevention Counseling by Pediatricians and Family Physicians. Practices and Beliefs
Although most primary care physicians believe they have a responsibility to counsel families about firearm safety, this study found that the minority of primary care physicians taking care of children actually do.
Internists’ and Surgeons’ Attitudes Toward Guns and Firearm Injury Prevention
Structured telephone interviews of internists and surgeons found that they believed firearm violence is a major public health issue and that physicians should be involved with firearm injury prevention.