1
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Pallin R, Wright MA, Tomsich EA, Wintemute GJ, Stewart S, Kagawa RMC. Prior Drug-Related Criminal Charges and Risk for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Authorized Purchasers of Handguns in California. J Interpers Violence 2022; 37:NP23352-NP23373. [PMID: 35333106 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221078811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a considerable public health problem in the US, and evidence suggests that both drugs and firearms contribute to the risk of IPV and its severity. This study uses a retrospective, longitudinal cohort design to explore the association between past arrests, charges incurred in the legal process, and convictions for drug-related crimes, and risk of future arrest for IPV among legal handgun purchasers. The cohort included all legal purchasers of handguns in California in 2001 between the ages of 21 and 49 (n = 79,678), 156 of whom had pre-purchase drug charges and post-purchase IPV charges. We used Cox proportional hazards regression with age at time of handgun purchase, sex, and race/ethnicity, and an array of community characteristics as covariates. Over the study period (2001-2013), in comparison to handgun purchasers who had no charges or convictions prior to their index purchase, risk for future IPV arrest was increased for purchasers whose only prior charges were drug-related (aHR = 3.4 [95% CI: 2.4-4.9]) and purchasers who had both prior drug- and non-drug related charges (aHR = 4.9 [95% CI: 4.1-6.0]). The magnitude of the risk ratio was greater when multiple drug types were involved and when the person had been charged with both the use and sale of drugs. Our findings suggest that, among legal handgun purchasers, prior drug charges are associated with future risk of IPV arrests or convictions. Given the established link between firearm access and IPV severity and fatality, these findings may inform the development and enforcement of policies that reduce firearm access for those at elevated risk of perpetrating intimate partner violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, 8789University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Mona A Wright
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, 8789University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Tomsich
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, 8789University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, 8789University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Susan Stewart
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, 8789University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Rose M C Kagawa
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, 8789University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
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2
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Bhatt A, Gonzales H, Pallin R, Barnhorst A. Rising Rates of Adolescent Firearm Suicide and the Clinician's Role in Addressing Firearms. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022; 62:614-617. [PMID: 36007812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2022.07.820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Suicide is a leading cause of death of 10- to 19-year-olds in the United States.1 Firearms were used in 48% of suicides of 15- to 19-year-olds and in 38% of suicides of 10- to 14-year-olds in 2020.1 During the COVID-19 pandemic, gun sales surged, leading to increases in household firearm ownership,2 a known risk factor for suicide.3Once identifying an adolescent at risk for suicide, clinicians can intervene by providing evidenced-based interventions tailored to each situation. In this article, we present steps adapted from the BulletPoints Project for clinicians to intervene with adolescents at risk for firearm suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hilary Gonzales
- California Firearm Violence Research Center at the University of California, Davis
| | - Rocco Pallin
- California Firearm Violence Research Center at the University of California, Davis
| | - Amy Barnhorst
- University of California Davis, California; California Firearm Violence Research Center at the University of California, Davis
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3
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Pear VA, Pallin R, Schleimer JP, Tomsich E, Kravitz-Wirtz N, Shev AB, Knoepke CE, Wintemute GJ. Gun violence restraining orders in California, 2016-2018: case details and respondent mortality. Inj Prev 2022; 28:465-471. [PMID: 35654574 PMCID: PMC9510437 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2022-044544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Gun violence restraining orders (GVROs), implemented in California in 2016, temporarily prohibit individuals at high risk of violence from purchasing or possessing firearms and ammunition. We sought to describe the circumstances giving rise to GVROs issued 2016–2018, provide details about the GVRO process and quantify mortality outcomes for individuals subject to these orders (‘respondents’). Methods For this cross-sectional description of GVRO respondents, 2016–2018, we abstracted case details from court files and used LexisNexis to link respondents to mortality data through August 2020. Results We abstracted information for 201 respondents with accessible court records. Respondents were mostly white (61.2%) and men (93.5%). Fifty-four per cent of cases involved potential harm to others alone, 15.3% involved potential harm to self alone and 25.2% involved both. Mass shooting threats occurred in 28.7% of cases. Ninety-six and one half per cent of petitioners were law enforcement officers and one-in-three cases resulted in arrest on order service. One-year orders after a hearing (following 21-day emergency/temporary orders) were issued in 53.5% of cases. Most (84.2%) respondents owned at least one firearm, and firearms were removed in 55.9% of cases. Of the 379 respondents matched by LexisNexis, 7 (1.8%) died after the GVRO was issued: one from a self-inflicted firearm injury that was itself the reason for the GVRO and the others from causes unrelated to violence. Conclusions GVROs were used most often by law enforcement officers to prevent firearm assault/homicide and post-GVRO firearm fatalities among respondents were rare. Future studies should investigate additional respondent outcomes and potential sources of heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica A Pear
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Julia P Schleimer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Tomsich
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Aaron B Shev
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Christopher E Knoepke
- Adult and Child Consortium for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
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4
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Aubel AJ, Pallin R, Knoepke CE, Wintemute GJ, Kravitz-Wirtz N. A comparative content analysis of newspaper coverage about extreme risk protection order policies in passing and non-passing US states. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:981. [PMID: 35578227 PMCID: PMC9109361 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13374-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws are a tool for firearm violence prevention (in effect in 19 states), often enacted in the wake of a public mass shooting when media coverage of gun violence tends to spike. We compared news media framing of ERPOs in states that passed and those that considered but did not pass such laws after the 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. Methods We conducted a content analysis of 244 newspaper articles about ERPOs, published in 2018, in three passing (FL, VT, RI) and three non-passing states (PA, OH, CO). Measures included language used, stakeholders mentioned, and scientific evidence cited. We use chi-square tests to compare the proportion of articles with each measure of interest in passing versus non-passing states. Results Compared to newspaper coverage of non-passing states, news articles about ERPOs in passing states more often used only official policy names for ERPOs (38% vs. 23%, p = .03), used less restrictive language such as “prevent” to describe the process of suspending firearm access (15% vs. 3%, p < .01), mentioned gun violence prevention advocacy groups (41% vs. 28%, p = .08), and referenced research on ERPOs (17% vs. 7%, p = .03). Articles about passing states also more often explicitly stated that a violent event was or could have been prevented by an ERPO (20% vs. 6%, p < .01). Conclusions Media messaging that frames gun violence as preventable, emphasizes identifiable markers of risk, and draws on data in conjunction with community wisdom may support ERPO policy passage. As more states consider ERPO legislation, especially given endorsement by the Biden-Harris administration, deeper knowledge about successful media framing of these life-saving policies can help shape public understandings and support. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13374-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Aubel
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA. .,California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Christopher E Knoepke
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13199 East Montview Boulevard, Suite 300, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.,Adult and Child Consortium for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13199 East Montview Boulevard, Suite 300, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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5
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Pallin R, Teasdale S, Agnoli A, Spitzer S, Asif-Sattar R, Wintemute GJ, Barnhorst A. Correction to: Talking about firearm injury prevention with patients: a survey of medical residents. BMC Med Educ 2022; 22:126. [PMID: 35209898 PMCID: PMC8876111 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03117-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA.
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Sara Teasdale
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Alicia Agnoli
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Sarabeth Spitzer
- Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Carrie Hall 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rameesha Asif-Sattar
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Amy Barnhorst
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
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Wintemute GJ, Aubel AJ, Pallin R, Schleimer JP, Kravitz-Wirtz N. Experiences of violence in daily life among adults in California: a population-representative survey. Inj Epidemiol 2022; 9:1. [PMID: 34980276 PMCID: PMC8721630 DOI: 10.1186/s40621-021-00367-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on violence exposure emphasizes discrete acute events such as direct and witnessed victimization. Little is known about the broad range of experiences of violence (EVs) in daily life. This study assesses the prevalence and patterns of distribution of 6 EVs in an adult general population. METHODS California state-representative survey administered online (English and Spanish), July 14-27, 2020. Adult (age ≥ 18 years) California resident members of the Ipsos KnowledgePanel were eligible to participate. Two EVs concerned community environments: (1) the occurrence of gunshots and shootings in the neighborhood and (2) encounters with sidewalk memorials where violent deaths occurred. Four concerned social networks: direct personal knowledge of individuals who (1) had purposefully been shot by someone else or (2) had purposefully shot themselves, and direct personal knowledge of individuals whom respondents perceived to be at risk of violence, either (3) to another person or (4) to themselves. Main outcome measures, expressed as weighted percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were the prevalence and extent (or dose) of each EV and of EVs in combination and associations between EVs and respondents' sociodemographic characteristics and firearm ownership status. RESULTS Of 2870 respondents (57% completion rate), 52.3% (95% CI 49.5-55.0%) were female; mean [SD] age was 47.9 [16.9] years. Nearly two-thirds (64.6%, 95% CI 61.9-67.3%) reported at least 1 EV; 11.4% (95% CI 9.7-13.2%) reported 3 or more. Gender was not associated with the prevalence of any experience. Non-owners of firearms who lived with owners reported more extensive EVs through social networks than did firearm owners or non-owners in households without firearms. Knowledge of people who had been shot by others was most common among Black respondents, 31.0% (95% CI 20.9-43.3%) of whom knew 2 or more such persons. Knowledge of people who had shot themselves was greatest among respondents aged ≥ 60 years, but knowledge of persons perceived to be at risk of violence to themselves was greatest among respondents aged 18-29 years. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Experiences of violence in daily life are widespread. They occur in sociodemographic patterns that differ from those for direct victimization and suggest new opportunities for research and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garen J. Wintemute
- The California Firearm Violence Research Center and The Violence Prevention Research Program, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Amanda J. Aubel
- The California Firearm Violence Research Center and The Violence Prevention Research Program, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Rocco Pallin
- The California Firearm Violence Research Center and The Violence Prevention Research Program, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Julia P. Schleimer
- The California Firearm Violence Research Center and The Violence Prevention Research Program, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- The California Firearm Violence Research Center and The Violence Prevention Research Program, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
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7
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Pallin R, Teasdale S, Agnoli A, Spitzer S, Asif-Sattar R, Wintemute GJ, Barnhorst A. Talking about firearm injury prevention with patients: a survey of medical residents. BMC Med Educ 2022; 22:14. [PMID: 34980095 PMCID: PMC8725249 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-021-03024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Firearm injury and death are significant public health problems in the U.S. and physicians are uniquely situated to help prevent them. However, there is little formal training in medical education on identifying risk for firearm injury and discussing safe firearm practices with patients. This study assesses prior education, barriers to counseling, and needs for improved training on firearm safety counseling in medical education to inform the development of future education on clinical strategies for firearm injury prevention. METHOD A 2018 survey administered to 218 residents and fellows at a large, academic medical center asked about medical training on firearm injury prevention, frequency of asking patients about firearm access, and perceived barriers. RESULTS The most common barriers cited were not knowing what to do with patients' answers about access to firearms (72.1%), not having enough time (66.2%), not feeling comfortable identifying patients at-risk for firearm injury (49.2%), and not knowing how to ask patients about firearm access (48.6%). Prior education on firearm injury prevention was more strongly associated with asking than was personal exposure to firearms: 51.5% of respondents who had prior medical education reported asking compared with who had not received such education (31.8%, p=0.004). More than 90% of respondents were interested in further education about interventions, what questions to ask, and legal mechanisms to separate dangerous people from their firearms. CONCLUSIONS Education on assessing risk for firearm-related harm and, when indicated, counseling on safe firearm practices may increase the likelihood clinicians practice this behavior, though additional barriers exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA.
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Sara Teasdale
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Alicia Agnoli
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Sarabeth Spitzer
- Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Carrie Hall 103, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rameesha Asif-Sattar
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Amy Barnhorst
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
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8
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Pallin R, Wintemute GJ, Kravitz-Wirtz N. "What does it depend on?": Perceptions of safety related to firearms in homes and neighborhoods. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261038. [PMID: 34965246 PMCID: PMC8716056 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Though research has established that firearms in the home increase risk for injury and death, a substantial number of Americans, especially gun owners, believe that guns make their homes safer. More than half of gun owners in a nationally-representative survey said “it depends” when asked whether guns make their homes safer or more dangerous, but little is known about the factors that affect perceived safety. Objective To determine whether the relationship between the presence of firearms and perceived home or neighborhood safety is fixed or depends on additional factors and to identify the additional factors on which it depends. Methods A mixed-methods cross-sectional analysis of the 2018 state-representative California Safety and Wellbeing Survey (n = 2558, completion rate 49%), including calculation of weighted proportions and qualitative analysis of write-in responses. Findings One in six respondents (17.2%, 95% CI 14.9% to 19.7%) reported “it depends” when asked whether a gun in their home made the home a safer or more dangerous place to be (“the home scenario”). One in six (16.6%, 95% CI 14.3% to 19.2%) reported “it depends” when asked whether the neighborhood would be safer if all neighbors had guns in the home (“the neighborhood scenario”). For the home scenario, 28.3% (95% CI 21.9% to 35.7%) cited firearm owner characteristics (e.g., training and proficiency, temperament, and mental health), 28.4% (95% CI 22.3% to 35.5%) cited firearm storage and access, and 28.0% (95% CI 21.5% to 35.7%) cited intended use for guns as factors affecting perceived safety. For the neighborhood scenario, respondents overwhelmingly cited gun owner characteristics (72.1%, 95% CI 63.4% to 79.3%). Factors on which “it depends” varied by gun ownership status. Conclusion Perceived safety when firearms are in the home depends on numerous factors. Understanding these factors may inform tailored, targeted messaging and interventions for firearm injury prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Garen J. Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento, California, United States of America
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9
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Aubel AJ, Pallin R, Wintemute GJ, Kravitz-Wirtz N. Exposure to Violence, Firearm Involvement, and Socioemotional Consequences Among California Adults. J Interpers Violence 2021; 36:11822-11838. [PMID: 33380237 DOI: 10.1177/0886260520983924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Violence is a leading cause of injury and death, and its impacts extend far beyond physical harm to the victim. We estimated the prevalence of direct or indirect exposure to violence, factors associated with exposure, and effects of exposure on socioemotional health-with effect modification by firearm involvement during the violent event-among a state-representative sample of California adults. We also examined effects of exposure on subsequent intent to purchase firearms. The sample comprised 2,558 California adults who completed the 2018 California Safety and Wellbeing Survey. An estimated 4% of respondents-1.2 million Californians-said they or a household member were exposed to violence while living in their current neighborhood. Half of those exposed to violence reported the event was "severely" distressing, and 47% experienced social functioning problems (i.e., problems with job/school and/or family/friends); for comparison, only 12% of unexposed adults reported having such problems in the past 12 months. When the violent event involved a weapon, respondents who did (versus did not) experience severe distress were significantly more likely to report that a firearm was present (69% versus 14%); those with (versus without) social functioning problems were significantly more likely to report other types of weapons were involved (67% versus 22%). Exposed adults considered buying a gun in response to the violent event more often than did unexposed respondents in the past 12 months (33% versus 17%). These findings highlight the need to address the physical and psychological sequelae of violence exposure among direct and indirect victims and can inform violence prevention research, programs, and policies across the nation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Aubel
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
| | - Rocco Pallin
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA
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10
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Pallin R, Aubel AJ, Knoepke CE, Pear VA, Wintemute GJ, Kravitz-Wirtz N. News media coverage of extreme risk protection order policies surrounding the Parkland shooting: a mixed-methods analysis. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1986. [PMID: 34727916 PMCID: PMC8565081 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11909-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, there was a dramatic increase in media coverage of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) and in state policy proposals for ERPO laws. This study documents the frequency of news coverage of ERPOs throughout 2018 and examines the narratives used by media outlets to describe this risk-based firearm policy. METHODS Using a mixed-method descriptive design, we examine the frequency of national news media coverage of ERPO legislation in 2018, before and after the Parkland shooting, and analyze the content of news articles related to a sample of states that considered ERPO legislation after the shooting. RESULTS We find a sharp increase in the frequency of articles related to ERPOs following the Parkland shooting and smaller increases in coverage surrounding ERPO policy proposals and other public mass shootings that year. Nearly three-quarters of articles in our content analysis mentioned the Parkland shooting. The news media often mentioned or quoted politicians compared to other stakeholders, infrequently specified uses for ERPOs (e.g., prevention of mass violence, suicide, or other violence), and rarely included evidence on effectiveness of such policies. More than one-quarter of articles mentioned a mass shooting perpetrator by name, and one-third of articles used the term "gun control." CONCLUSIONS This study describes the emerging public discourse, as informed by media messaging and framing, on ERPOs as states continue to debate and implement these risk-based firearm violence prevention policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Amanda J Aubel
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Christopher E Knoepke
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13199 East Montview Boulevard, Suite 300, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Adult and Child Consortium for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13199 East Montview Boulevard, Suite 300, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Veronica A Pear
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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Pear VA, Schleimer JP, Tomsich E, Pallin R, Charbonneau A, Wintemute GJ, Knoepke CE. Implementation and perceived effectiveness of gun violence restraining orders in California: A qualitative evaluation. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258547. [PMID: 34665820 PMCID: PMC8525775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uptake of gun violence restraining orders (GVROs), which temporarily prohibit the possession and purchase of firearms and ammunition from individuals at particularly high risk of harming themselves or others with a firearm, has been slow and heterogenous across California. Insights into the implementation process and perceived effectiveness of the law could guide implementation in California and the many states that have enacted or are considering enacting such a law. METHODS We conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with 27 key informants, including judges, law enforcement officers, city and district attorneys, policy experts, and firearm violence researchers. Analysis of transcripts was guided by grounded theory and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). FINDINGS The following constructs emerged within 4 CFIR domains as salient features of implementation: 1) implementation characteristics: risk of violence, cost, and adaptability; 2) outer setting: interagency coordination and local firearm ideology; 3) inner setting: readiness for implementation and law enforcement firearm culture; and 4) implementation process: planning and engaging with those involved in implementation. Key informants perceived the law to be effective, particularly for preventing firearm suicide, but agreed that more research was needed. While most indicated that the law resulted in positive outcomes, concerns about the potential for class- and race-based inequities were also raised. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of the GVRO law in California was hampered by a lack of funding to support local proactive implementation efforts. This resulted in ad hoc policies and procedures, leading to inconsistent practices and widespread confusion among those responsible for implementation. In states that have not begun implementation, we recommend dedicating funding for implementation and creating local procedures statewide prior to the law's rollout. In California, recommendations include providing training on the GVRO law-including an explication of agency-specific roles, responsibilities, and procedures-to officers, city attorneys, and civil court judges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica A. Pear
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Violence Prevention Research Program, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Julia P. Schleimer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Violence Prevention Research Program, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Tomsich
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Violence Prevention Research Program, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Violence Prevention Research Program, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Amanda Charbonneau
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Violence Prevention Research Program, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
| | - Garen J. Wintemute
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Violence Prevention Research Program, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher E. Knoepke
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Adult and Child Consortium for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
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Abstract
Suicide is complex, with psychiatric, cultural, and socioeconomic roots. Though mental illnesses like depression contribute to risk for suicide, access to lethal means such as firearms is considered a key risk factor for suicide, and half of suicides in the USA are by firearm. When a person at risk of suicide has access to firearms, clinicians have a range of options for intervention. Depending on the patient, the situation, and the access to firearms, counseling on storage practices, temporary transfer of firearms, or further intervention may be appropriate. In the USA, ownership of and access to firearms are common and discussing added risk of access to firearms for those at risk of suicide is not universally practiced. Given the burden of suicide (particularly by firearm) in the USA, the prevalence of firearm access, and the lethality of suicide attempts with firearms, we present the existing evidence on the burden of firearm suicide and what clinicians can do to reduce their patients' risk. Specifically, we review firearm ownership in the USA, firearm injury epidemiology, risk factors for firearm-related harm, and available interventions to reduce patients' risk of firearm injury and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, USA.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | - Amy Barnhorst
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, USA
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13
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Safe firearm storage and other interventions may reduce pediatric firearm deaths and injuries. OBJECTIVE To compare firearm ownership and storage practices, opinions on firearm injury prevention strategies, and perceptions of safety among adults in California households with and without children and/or adolescents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This survey study used data from the 2018 California Safety and Well-being Survey, a California-representative, probability-based internet survey. Respondents were part of the Ipsos KnowledgePanel, an online research panel that uses address-based sampling and provides survey weights to produce estimates representative of the adult population of California. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Topics included firearm storage practices, opinions on interventions to reduce pediatric firearm injury, and perceptions of household safety related to firearm ownership. Respondents were stratified by firearm ownership and household presence or absence of children and/or adolescents. Weighted percentages and 95% CIs are presented. RESULTS Of 5232 invited panel members, 2558 (48.9%) completed the survey. Among respondents, 52.5% (95% CI, 49.3%-55.7%) were women, 42.9% (95% CI, 39.9%-45.9%) were White, 30.0% (95% CI, 26.8%-32.9%) lived in homes with children, and the mean (SD) age was 48.0 (17.1) years. Among those in homes with children, more than two-thirds of individuals who owned firearms (70.6% [95% CI, 50.1%-85.2%]) and more than half of individuals who did not own firearms but lived in homes with guns (54.9% [95% CI, 37.9%-70.8%]) reported that they believed a firearm in the home made it safer. Half of those who owned firearms (52.3% [95% CI, 34.9%-69.2%]) and more than three-quarters of individuals who did not own firearms but lived in homes with guns (78.4% [95% CI, 57.5%-90.7%]) reported it was always appropriate for parents to inquire about unlocked guns in homes where their children play. Among those who had previously owned at least 1 gun but no longer did, 13.3% (95% CI, 7.1%-23.8%) reported getting rid of guns at least in part due to concern for the safety of a child in the home. Nearly two-thirds of those who owned firearms living with children and/or adolescents (64.5% [95% CI, 46.5%-79.2%]) did not store all firearms in the most secure manner (ie, unloaded and locked up), compared with 36.4% (95% CI, 29.4%-44.1%) of individuals who owned firearms but did not live with children. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, although a substantial percentage of individuals who owned guns and lived with children did not store all firearms as recommended, parents and caregivers who owned firearms reported being amenable to interventions that reduce young people's risk of firearm-related harm. Future work should investigate acceptable risk reduction and safe storage interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento
| | - Garen J. Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento
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Kravitz-Wirtz N, Aubel AJ, Pallin R, Wintemute GJ. Public Awareness of and Personal Willingness to Use California's Extreme Risk Protection Order Law to Prevent Firearm-Related Harm. JAMA Health Forum 2021; 2:e210975. [PMID: 35977171 PMCID: PMC8796972 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.0975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Questions Findings Meaning Importance Objective Design, Setting, and Participants Main Outcomes and Measures Results Conclusions and Relevance
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Amanda J. Aubel
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Rocco Pallin
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Garen J. Wintemute
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
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Kravitz-Wirtz N, Pallin R, Kagawa RMC, Miller M, Azrael D, Wintemute GJ. Firearm purchases without background checks in California. Prev Med 2021; 145:106414. [PMID: 33400939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Background checks are designed to prevent firearm acquisition by people prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. There is limited information about background checks, particularly on a state by state basis. We conducted a state-representative, probability-based, Internet survey of California adults in 2018 (n=2558; completion rate 49%) to describe where, when, and how firearms are acquired and to estimate the proportion of current firearm owners who purchased their most recent firearm without a background check. An estimated 17.2% (95% CI: 9.6-28.8) of firearm owners who purchased their most recent firearm within California in 1991 or later, following implementation of the state's comprehensive background check law, reported doing so without a background check. This percentage was 44.6% (95% CI: 27.1-63.5) among owners who purchased their most recent firearm before 1991 and 27.1% (95% CI: 13.1-47.7) among those who purchased their most recent firearm outside California. Firearm purchases without background checks occurred more often for firearms purchased from private sellers (72.3%; 95% CI: 35.5-92.5) than retailers (8.5%; 95% CI: 3.4-19.7). Overall, firearm purchases without background checks are considerably less common in California than in states without regulations on private sales. However, gaps in implementation and proper enforcement remain. Future research could investigate reasons for such lapses, as well as complementary state policy approaches that require background checks prior to point of purchase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Rose M C Kagawa
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Miller
- Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah Azrael
- Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Violence is a significant public health problem that has become entwined with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVE To describe individuals' concerns regarding violence in the context of the pandemic, experiences of pandemic-related unfair treatment, prevalence of and reasons for firearm acquisition, and changes in firearm storage practices due to the pandemic. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This survey study used data from the 2020 California Safety and Well-being Survey, a probability-based internet survey of California adults conducted from July 14 to 27, 2020. Respondents came from the Ipsos KnowledgePanel, an online research panel with members selected using address-based sampling methods. Responses were weighted to be representative of the adult population of California. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Topics included worry about violence for oneself before and during the pandemic; concern about violence for someone else due to a pandemic-related loss; experiences of unfair treatment attributed to the pandemic; firearm and ammunition acquisition due to the pandemic; and changes in firearm storage practices due to the pandemic. RESULTS Of 5018 invited panel members, 2870 completed the survey (completion rate, 57%). Among respondents (52.3% [95% CI, 49.5%-55.0%] women; mean [SD] age, 47.9 [16.9] years; 41.9% [95% CI, 39.3%-44.6%] White individuals), self-reported worry about violence for oneself was significantly higher during the pandemic for all violence types except mass shootings, ranging from a 2.8 percentage point increase for robbery (from 65.5% [95% CI, 62.8%-68.0%] to 68.2% [95% CI, 65.6%-70.7%]; P = .008) to a 5.6 percentage point increase for stray bullet shootings (from 44.5% [95% CI, 41.7%-47.3%] to 50.0% [47.3%-52.8%]; P < .001). The percentage of respondents concerned that someone they know might intentionally harm themselves was 13.1% (95% CI, 11.5%-15.3%). Of those, 7.5% (95% CI, 4.5%-12.2%) said it was because the other person had experienced a pandemic-related loss. An estimated 110 000 individuals (2.4% [95% CI, 1.1%-5.0%] of firearm owners in the state) acquired a firearm due to the pandemic, including 47 000 new owners (43.0% [95% CI, 14.8%-76.6%] of those who had acquired a firearm). Of owners who stored at least 1 firearm in the least secure way, 6.7% (95% CI, 2.7%-15.6%) said they had adopted this unsecure storage practice in response to the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this analysis of findings from the 2020 California Safety and Well-being Survey, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increases in self-reported worry about violence for oneself and others, increased firearm acquisition, and changes in firearm storage practices. Given the impulsive nature of many types of violence, short-term crisis interventions may be critical for reducing violence-related harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Amanda Aubel
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Julia Schleimer
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Rocco Pallin
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Garen Wintemute
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center and Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
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Pallin R, Charbonneau A, Wintemute GJ, Kravitz-Wirtz N. California Public Opinion On Health Professionals Talking With Patients About Firearms. Health Aff (Millwood) 2020; 38:1744-1751. [PMID: 31589535 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Medical and public health organizations have recommended that health professionals discuss firearm safety with patients at risk for gun-related injury, yet few health professionals do so. Concerns that patients may view conversations about firearms as inappropriate have been reported in prior studies. Using state-representative data from the 2018 California Safety and Wellbeing Survey, this study found that most Californians report gun safety conversations with health professionals to be at least sometimes appropriate when these conversations involved a patient who had a known risk factor for firearm-related harm (depending on the risk factor, 83.7-90.2 percent among all respondents and 70.0-91.2 percent among firearm owners). Majorities of respondents also found intervention by health professionals for those at imminent risk to be at least sometimes appropriate (depending on the intervention, 84.0-89.9 percent among all respondents and 82.6-91.0 percent among firearm owners). These findings can inform health policy and education on clinical strategies for preventing firearm-related harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Rocco Pallin ( rspallin@ucdavis. edu ) is a research data analyst in the Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California (UC) Davis School of Medicine, in Sacramento
| | - Amanda Charbonneau
- Amanda Charbonneau is a postdoctoral fellow in the Violence Prevention Research Program
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Garen J. Wintemute is the Baker-Teret Chair in Violence Prevention and a professor of emergency medicine at UC Davis. He directs the Violence Prevention Research Program and the University of California Firearm Violence Research Center
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz is a professional researcher in the Violence Prevention Research Program
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18
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Schleimer JP, Pallin R, Wintemute GJ, Charbonneau A, Kravitz-Wirtz N. Patterns of Firearm Ownership and Opinions on Firearm Policies Among Adults in California. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e2012096. [PMID: 32735334 PMCID: PMC7395232 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.12096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This survey study assess whether patterns in firearm ownership are associated with opinions on firearm safety among adults in California.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia P. Schleimer
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento
| | - Garen J. Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento
| | - Amanda Charbonneau
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento
- University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, Sacramento
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19
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE A total of 19 states and the District of Columbia now have extreme risk protection order (ERPO) or similar policies, and others are considering them; however, little research exists describing their use. OBJECTIVE To characterize early use of California's ERPO policy by providing the first aggregate, statewide description of ERPOs, individuals subject to them, and petitioners. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study analyzed 1076 respondents to ERPOs recorded in the California Department of Justice California Restraining and Protective Order System from 2016 to 2019. Descriptive analyses of orders issued between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019 in California were performed, and univariate Moran I was calculated to examine county-level spatial autocorrelation of the policy's use. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary study outcomes included the characteristics of ERPO respondents (demographic characteristics), petitioners (law enforcement vs family or household members), and orders (type and service) as well as temporal and spatial variation in policy use during the first 4 years of implementation. RESULTS Of 1076 respondents during the study period, most were men (985 [91.5%]) and white individuals (637 [59.2%]), with a mean age of 41.8 years (range, 14 to 98 years). A law enforcement officer was the petitioner in 1038 cases (96.5%). The number of respondents increased during the study period from 70 in 2016 to 700 in 2019, and there was substantial county-level variation in ERPO use (ranging from 0 to 354 respondents), with significant spatial clustering in counts of ERPO respondents among neighboring counties (observed Moran I, 0.18, mean [SD] Moran I from reference distribution, -0.01 (0.05); z value, 3.58; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study, among the first to describe the early utilization of an ERPO or similar policy, found a substantial increase in the use of ERPOs in California from 2016 to 2019. These results could inform policy makers and other stakeholders involved in policy implementation and outreach in California and elsewhere. Similar studies in other states would be useful to understand variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Julia P. Schleimer
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Veronica A. Pear
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
| | - Garen J. Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento
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20
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Abstract
This survey study assesses public opinion on 2 firearm injury prevention proposals in California overall and by firearm ownership status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Amanda Charbonneau
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Garen J. Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
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21
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Kagawa RMC, Stewart S, Wright MA, Shev AB, Pear VA, McCort CD, Pallin R, Asif-Sattar R, Sohl S, Kass PH, Cerdá M, Gruenewald P, Studdert DM, Wintemute GJ. Association of Prior Convictions for Driving Under the Influence With Risk of Subsequent Arrest for Violent Crimes Among Handgun Purchasers. JAMA Intern Med 2020; 180:35-43. [PMID: 31566654 PMCID: PMC6777266 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.4491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Alcohol use is a risk factor for firearm-related violence, and firearm owners are more likely than others to report risky drinking behaviors. OBJECTIVE To study the association between prior convictions for driving under the influence (DUI) and risk of subsequent arrest for violent crimes among handgun purchasers. DESIGN In this retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, 79 678 individuals were followed up from their first handgun purchase in 2001 through 2013. The study cohort included all legally authorized handgun purchasers in California aged 21 to 49 years at the time of purchase in 2001. Individuals were identified using the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) database, which retains information on all legal handgun transfers in the state. EXPOSURES The primary exposure was DUI conviction prior to the first handgun purchase in 2001, as recorded in the CA DOJ Criminal History Information System. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prespecified outcomes included arrests for violent crimes listed in the Crime Index published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault), firearm-related violent crimes, and any violent crimes. RESULTS Of the study population (N=79 678), 91.0% were males and 68.9% were white individuals; the median age was 34 (range, 21-49) years. The analytic sample for multivariable models included 78 878 purchasers after exclusions. Compared with purchasers who had no prior criminal history, those with prior DUI convictions and no other criminal history were at increased risk of arrest for a Crime Index-listed violent crime (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 2.6; 95% CI, 1.7-4.1), a firearm-related violent crime (AHR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3-6.4), and any violent crime (AHR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.4-4.5). Among purchasers with a history of arrests or convictions for crimes other than DUI, associations specifically with DUI conviction remained. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study's findings suggest that prior DUI convictions may be associated with the risk of subsequent violence, including firearm-related violence, among legal purchasers of handguns. Although the magnitude was diminished, the risk associated with DUI conviction remained elevated even among those with a history of arrests or convictions for crimes of other types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose M C Kagawa
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Susan Stewart
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | - Mona A Wright
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Aaron B Shev
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Veronica A Pear
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Christopher D McCort
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Rameesha Asif-Sattar
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Sydney Sohl
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Philip H Kass
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis.,Department of Population Health, New York University, New York
| | - Paul Gruenewald
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, California
| | - David M Studdert
- Stanford Law School, Stanford University, Stanford, California.,Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis
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22
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Kravitz-Wirtz N, Pallin R, Miller M, Azrael D, Wintemute GJ. Firearm ownership and acquisition in California: findings from the 2018 California Safety and Well-being Survey. Inj Prev 2019; 26:516-523. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence of and factors associated with firearm ownership; the types, subtypes and quantity of firearms owned; and when, where and why firearms were acquired in California.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of a state-representative, probability-based, internet survey of California adults was conducted in September–October 2018 (n=2558; completion rate 49%). Household firearm ownership was ascertained for all respondents; personal firearm ownership was ascertained only among respondents who reported living in a home with firearms; and information on the types and quantity of firearms owned and details about recently acquired firearms came from firearm owners only.FindingsRoughly one in four (25%, 95% CI 22% to 28%) California adults live in a home with a firearm, including 4.2 million adults—14% (95% CI 13% to 16%) of the adult population—who personally own a firearm. These owners collectively own an estimated 19.9 million firearms (8.9 million handguns). Approximately half (48%, 95% CI 34% to 61%) of the firearm stock in California is owned by the 10% (95% CI 6% to 14%) of owners who own 10 or more firearms, though more than half (54%, 95% CI 47% to 62%) of owners in the state own only one or two firearms. Most (69%, 95% CI 63% to 75%) owners purchased their last firearm from a firearm retailer, usually a handgun purchased primarily for protection against people.ConclusionThis study provides the most detailed and up-to-date information available on firearm ownership and acquisition in California. Results can inform firearm violence prevention efforts and public health, safety and policy development in California and nationally.
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Wintemute GJ, Pear VA, Schleimer JP, Pallin R, Sohl S, Kravitz-Wirtz N, Tomsich EA. Extreme Risk Protection Orders Intended to Prevent Mass Shootings: A Case Series. Ann Intern Med 2019; 171:655-658. [PMID: 31426088 DOI: 10.7326/m19-2162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Urgent, individualized interventions to reduce firearm access, such as extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs, colloquially known as "red flag" orders), provide a rapid, focused response when risk for imminent firearm violence is high. Studies to date suggest such interventions are most commonly used to prevent suicide and are effective. Authorizing legislation has often been enacted after public mass shootings but, to our knowledge, there have been only 2 reported cases of ERPO use in efforts to prevent mass shootings. California enacted the nation's first ERPO statute, which took effect in January 2016. The authors are evaluating that statute's implementation and effectiveness and are seeking to obtain court records for all 414 cases occurring in 2016 to 2018. Based on 159 records received thus far, this article presents an aggregate summary and individual histories for a preliminary series of 21 cases in which ERPOs were used in efforts to prevent mass shootings. Most subjects were male and non-Hispanic white; the mean age was 35 years. Most subjects made explicit threats and owned firearms. Four cases arose primarily in relation to medical or mental health conditions, and such conditions were noted in 4 others. Fifty-two firearms were recovered. As of early August 2019, none of the threatened shootings had occurred, and no other homicides or suicides by persons subject to the orders were identified. It is impossible to know whether violence would have occurred had ERPOs not been issued, and the authors make no claim of a causal relationship. Nonetheless, the cases suggest that this urgent, individualized intervention can play a role in efforts to prevent mass shootings, in health care settings and elsewhere. Further evaluation would be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garen J Wintemute
- UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (G.J.W., V.A.P., J.P.S., R.P., S.S., N.K., E.A.T.)
| | - Veronica A Pear
- UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (G.J.W., V.A.P., J.P.S., R.P., S.S., N.K., E.A.T.)
| | - Julia P Schleimer
- UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (G.J.W., V.A.P., J.P.S., R.P., S.S., N.K., E.A.T.)
| | - Rocco Pallin
- UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (G.J.W., V.A.P., J.P.S., R.P., S.S., N.K., E.A.T.)
| | - Sydney Sohl
- UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (G.J.W., V.A.P., J.P.S., R.P., S.S., N.K., E.A.T.)
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (G.J.W., V.A.P., J.P.S., R.P., S.S., N.K., E.A.T.)
| | - Elizabeth A Tomsich
- UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (G.J.W., V.A.P., J.P.S., R.P., S.S., N.K., E.A.T.)
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Schleimer JP, Kravitz-Wirtz N, Pallin R, Charbonneau AK, Buggs SA, Wintemute GJ. Firearm ownership in California: A latent class analysis. Inj Prev 2019; 26:456-462. [PMID: 31601624 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether firearm ownership and ownership-related motivations and practices can be classified into reasonably distinct types. METHODS Cross-sectional data on firearm owners (n=429) were obtained from the 2018 California Safety and Well-Being Survey, a state-representative web-based survey. We conducted a latent class analysis using six self-reported indicators of firearm ownership: (1) number of firearms owned, (2) types of firearms owned, (3) primary reason for firearm ownership, (4) firearm storage, (5) loaded handgun carrying and (6) high-capacity magazine ownership. RESULTS We identified five markedly different classes of firearm ownership. There were two classes of single-firearm owners and three classes of multiple-firearm owners. Only members of one class (9% of owners) were likely to have carried a loaded handgun and to own high-capacity magazines or assault-type weapons. Members of this class were also likely to own 5+ firearms, own for protection against people, and store a firearm in the least secure manner (loaded and unlocked). CONCLUSION There were distinct classes of firearm ownership in California, and all higher-risk behaviours studied were exhibited disproportionately by members of a single class. This latent class structure, which may help identify higher-risk groups of firearm owners, could inform future research on risk assessment and on focused interventions to reduce firearm injury and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia P Schleimer
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Amanda K Charbonneau
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Shani A Buggs
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian E Betz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12401 E 17th Ave B215, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Megan L Ranney
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital/Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Rachel L Johnson
- Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Miller
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Laqueur HS, Kagawa RMC, McCort CD, Pallin R, Wintemute G. The impact of spikes in handgun acquisitions on firearm-related harms. Inj Epidemiol 2019; 6:35. [PMID: 31463175 PMCID: PMC6709554 DOI: 10.1186/s40621-019-0212-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research has documented sharp and short-lived increases in firearm acquisitions immediately following high-profile mass shootings and specific elections, increasing exposure to firearms at the community level. We exploit cross-city variation in the estimated number of excess handgun acquisitions in California following the 2012 presidential election and the Sandy Hook school shooting 5 weeks later to assess whether the additional handguns were associated with increases in the rate of firearm-related harms at the city level. Methods We use a two-stage modeling approach. First, we estimate excess handguns as the difference between actual handgun acquisitions, as recorded in California’s Dealer Record of Sales, and expected acquisitions, as predicted by a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving-average (SARIMA) time series model. We use Poisson regression models to estimate the effect of city-level excess handgun purchasing on city-level changes in rates of firearm mortality and injury. Results We estimate there were 36,142 excess handguns acquired in California in the 11 weeks following the election (95% prediction interval: 22,780 to 49,505); the Sandy Hook shooting occurred in week 6. We find city-level purchasing spikes were associated with higher rates of firearm injury in the 52 weeks post-election: a relative rate of 1.044 firearm injuries for each excess handgun per 1,000 people (95% CI: 1.000 to 1.089). This amounts to approximately 290 (95% CI: 0 to 616) additional firearm injuries (roughly a 4% increase) in California over the year. We do not detect statistically significant associations for shorter time windows or for firearm mortality. Conclusion This study provides evidence for an association between excess handgun acquisitions following high-profile events and firearm injury at the community level. This suggests that even marginal increases in handgun prevalence may be impactful. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40621-019-0212-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S Laqueur
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Rose M C Kagawa
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Christopher D McCort
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Garen Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
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Abstract
Deaths and injuries from firearms are significant public health problems, and clinicians are in a unique position to identify risk among their patients and discuss the importance of safe firearm practices. Although clinicians may be ill-prepared to engage in such discussions, an adequate body of evidence is available for support, and patients are generally receptive to this type of discussion with their physician. Here, we provide an overview of existing research and recommended strategies for counseling and intervention to reduce firearm-related death and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (R.P., G.J.W.)
| | | | - Megan L Ranney
- Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (M.L.R.)
| | - Marian E Betz
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (M.E.B.)
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California (R.P., G.J.W.)
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28
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Pallin R, Siry B, Azrael D, Knoepke CE, Matlock DD, Clement A, Ranney ML, Wintemute GJ, Betz ME. "Hey, let me hold your guns for a while": A qualitative study of messaging for firearm suicide prevention. Behav Sci Law 2019; 37:259-269. [PMID: 30706954 PMCID: PMC6546538 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A recommended component of suicide prevention is encouraging at-risk individuals to voluntarily and temporarily reduce access to firearms and other lethal methods. Yet delivering counseling on the topic can be difficult, given the political sensitivity of firearm discussions. To support such counseling, we sought to identify recommended framing and content of messages about reducing firearm access for suicide prevention. Through qualitative interviews with firearm owners and enthusiasts, we identified key points for use in framing (identity as a gun owner, trust, voluntary and temporary storage, and context and motivation) and specific content (preference for "firearm" over "gun," and legal issues such as background checks for transfers). These findings build on prior work and should enhance efforts to develop and deliver effective, acceptable counseling and-ultimately-prevent firearm suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pallin
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine
| | - Bonnie Siry
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine
| | - Deborah Azrael
- Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher E. Knoepke
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine
- Adult & Child Consortium for Outcomes Research & Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine
| | - Daniel D. Matlock
- Adult & Child Consortium for Outcomes Research & Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine
- VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center
| | - Ashley Clement
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine
| | - Megan L. Ranney
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Emergency Digital Health Innovation program, Brown University
- Injury Prevention Center of Rhode Island Hospital
| | - Garen J. Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine
| | - Marian E. Betz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine
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Abstract
A procedure for concentrating small round-structured viruses (SRSVs) (Norwalk-like viruses) from water and other environmental materials is described. Primers based on the helicase region of the SRSV genome were confirmed as specific by reaction with typed specimens, and used to detect virus in concentrates of unseeded and seeded samples. Virus was detected in estuarine recreational water polluted by untreated sewage, although not in seawater samples taken some distance from outfall discharges. It was also detected in river water downstream of a sewage treatment plant. Virus could be detected in all matrices when they were seeded with a positive stool extract, including sewage seeded with as little as 2 microl stool extract, thus confirming the suitability of the method for environmental monitoring.
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Pallin R, Wyn-Jones AP, Place BM, Lightfoot NF. The detection of enteroviruses in large volume concentrates of recreational waters by the polymerase chain reaction. J Virol Methods 1997; 67:57-67. [PMID: 9274818 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-0934(97)00076-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A rapid and simple method was developed to detect enteroviruses in large-volume water samples. It relies on the adsorption of the virus capsids to silica particles under acidic conditions, allowing their recovery by relatively gentle centrifugation. Different reagents used in enterovirus concentration and detection were seeded with Coxsackievirus B5 and used to optimise the recovery method, which was then used to detect the enteroviruses from seeded and unseeded 101 seawater samples in one PCR tube rather than in up to 50 sub-sample volumes, demonstrating its use for routine environmental monitoring. Concentrates from 36 recreational water samples from three sites in N.E. England were analysed for enteroviruses by regular and the new method semi-nested PCR, and infectivity in cell culture. Some of the samples were also analysed for faecal indicator bacteria and F-specific bacteriophage. The results showed a marked increase in detection sensitivity when the whole sample concentrate was assayed as compared with a small volume aliquot.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pallin
- School of Health Sciences, The University, Sunderland, UK
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