Firearms Violence Research: What Do We Know and What Do Policymakers Need to Know? (Video)

• NCJ Number: 205539
• Author(s): Jan Apperson; Paul H. Blackman; Philip J. Cook; Garen J. Wintemute
• Date Published: July 2003
• Length: 0 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Sale Source: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Film
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: VHS videotape 1 hour.

Annotation

This audiovisual presents the plenary session on Firearms Violence Research, specifically what is known on firearms violence through existing research and what policymakers need to know, from the 2003 National Institute of Justice Research and Evaluation Conference.

Abstract

In July 2003, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice held a Research and Evaluation Conference. The conference provided a research and evaluation overview for policymaking. This video presents the plenary session on Firearms Violence Research. The four panelists discussed current firearm violence research including the context in which gun crimes commonly occur, gun ownership patterns and their relationship to violent crime patterns, illegal gun markets and usefulness or lack thereof of gun tracing data information, and gaps in past and existing firearm research and current and possible future legislative proposals concerning firearms. In addition, a discussion on what research questions policymakers need to have answers to in order to make good and effective policy was held. The first panelist presented on firearms ownership and 10 frequently asked questions (FAQ's): (1) how many guns are in circulation; (2) how have sales of guns changed over time; (3) what are the trends in the prevalence of gun ownership; (4) what are the correlates of gun ownership; (5) is gun ownership forever; (6) what are the regional patterns of gun ownership; (7) is the geographic pattern changing; (8) does gun prevalence relate to criminal use; (9) how many people own how many guns; and (10) why should gun ownership and transactions be regulated? The remaining three panelists presented on firearm prevention research--a public health perspective, firearms violence research--a National Rifle Association (NRA) perspective, and firearms violence research--a legislative perspective. The session concluded with a question and answer period, first among the panelists and moderator and then between the panelists and session participants.