An evaluation of state firearm regulations and homicide and suicide death rates. Issue 2 (1st April 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosengart, M; Cummings, P; Nathens, A; Heagerty, P; Maier, R; Rivara, F
• Is Part Of: Injury prevention. Volume 11:Issue 2(2005)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2005-04-01
• Subjects: ICD-9, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision; firearms -- homicide -- legislation -- suicide; Children's accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 617.1
• DOI: 10.1136/ip.2004.007062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8047

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To determine if any of five different state gun laws were associated with firearm mortality: (1) "shall issue" laws permitting an individual to carry a concealed weapon unless restricted by another statute; (2) a minimum age of 21 years for handgun purchase; (3) a minimum age of 21 years for private handgun possession; (4) one gun a month laws which restrict handgun purchase frequency; and (5) junk gun laws which ban the sale of certain cheaply constructed handguns. Design: A cross sectional time series study of firearm mortality from 1979 to 1998. Setting: All 50 states and the District of Columbia. Subjects: All residents of the United States. Main outcome measures: Firearm homicides, all homicides, firearm suicides, and all suicides. Results: When a "shall issue" law was present, the rate of firearm homicides was greater, RR 1.11 (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 1.24), than when the law was not present, as was the rate of all homicides, RR 1.08 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.17), although this was not statistically significant. No law was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the rates of firearm homicides or total homicides. No law was associated with a statistically significant change in firearm suicide rates. Conclusion: A "shall issue" law that eliminates most restrictions on carrying a concealed weapon may be associated with increased firearm homicide rates. No law was associated with a statistically significant reduction in firearm homicide or suicide rates.