JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
-
To determine the incidence, nature, demographics, severity, and hospital charges associated with inpatient treatment of firearm-related injuries. ⋯ Firearm-related violence is a major cause of hospitalization of young urban black males and represents a significant cost to publicly financed health care. The impact on individual hospitals is highly disproportionate. While hospital discharge data can be used for population-based surveillance of firearm-related trauma, there is need for improvement in local, state, and national surveillance of these injuries.
-
To determine the effect of limiting handgun purchases to 1 per month on the illegal movement of firearms across state lines. ⋯ Gun control policies involving licensing, registration, and restricting the number of purchases represent efforts to limit the supply of guns available in the illegal market. This study provides evidence that restricting handgun purchases to 1 per month is an effective means of disrupting the illegal interstate transfer of firearms.
-
To examine statewide data on exposure of adults and children to loaded and unlocked household firearms, and to estimate the prevalence of firearm carrying among adults in Oregon. ⋯ Many adults and children are exposed to unsafely stored firearms in Oregon, and many adults carry loaded firearms. Improved public health surveillance of firearm storage and firearm carrying using standardized questions and definitions is needed at the national, state, and local levels.