Gun-Related Violence (From Trends, Risks, and Interventions in Lethal Violence: Proceedings of the Third Annual Spring Symposium of the Homicide Research Working Group, P 265-278, 1995, Carolyn Block and Richard Block, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 159909
• Author(s): S F Roth
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 14 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. NIJ Research Report, See NCJ-154254 for complete document.

Annotation

This paper discusses trends in gun-related violence in New York State and compares those figures with national statistics.

Abstract

Nationally, the number of unintentional injuries and deaths and suicides exceeds the number of intentional killings involving firearms. In New York State, of the 2,422 deaths caused by firearms, 1,820 were homicides, 572 suicides, and 30 accidental shooting deaths. In the country as a whole, the proportion of all homicides that involved firearms increased dramatically beginning in the mid-1980's. The danger of firearms is compounded by the involvement of juveniles in firearm-related crime. This paper discusses characteristics of offenses committed with firearms, the firepower of weapons being used by violent criminals, and the need for law enforcement to control the illegal gun market. New York State initiatives to reduce gun-related crime involve intervening in illegal gun sales, restricting possession of assault weapons, improving handgun registration information, restricting gun possession by high-risk groups, and deterring negligent firearm storage. The paper also outlines actions to be taken at the Federal level to ensure uniform national regulation of firearms. 6 references and 6 figures