Mixed Impact of Firearms Restrictions on Fatal Firearm Injuries in Males: A National Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Public health organizations have recommended restricted access and safe storage practices as means to reduce firearm injuries and deaths. We aimed to assess the effect of four firearm restrictions on firearm deaths in Norway 1969–2009. Methods: All deaths due to firearm discharge were included (5,660 deaths, both sexes). The statistical analysis to assess impact of firearm legislations was restricted to males because of the sex disproportionality (94% were males). Results: A total of 89% of firearm deaths (both sexes) were classified as suicide, 8% as homicide, and 3% as unintentional (accident). During the past four decades, male accidental firearm death rates were reduced significantly by 90%. Male firearms suicide rates increased from 1969 to 1991 by 166%, and decreased by 62% from 1991 to 2009. Despite the great reduction in male accidental firearm deaths, we were unable to demonstrate effects of the laws. In contrast, we found that a 1990 regulation, requiring a police permit before acquiring a shotgun, had a beneficial impact on suicide in the total sample and in those aged 15–34 years. Male firearm homicides decreased post-2003 regulation regarding storing home guard weapons in private homes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that two laws could have contributed to reduce male firearm mortality. It is, however, a challenge to measure the role of four firearm restrictions. The null findings are inconclusive, as they may reflect no true impact or study limitations.

Presence of minor and major mental health impairment in adolescence and death from suicide and unintentional injuries/accidents in men: a national longitudinal cohort study

“…Greater symptom severity and/or availability of psychiatric medication could explain our finding of even higher risks for suicide and accidental poisoning in those with major mental health impairment 39. On the other hand, in Norway, manifest psychiatric disorders at such young age would normally lead to treatment, follow-up or reduced access to lethal means (such as firearms or medications), with the potential to prevent suicide and unintentional injury/accident death 40. Future cohort studies including more detailed clinical information will be useful to elucidate the relative contributions of treatment and psychological/behavioural risk factors on cause-specific types of suicide and unintentional injury/accident death.…”

Trends in firearm safety—do they correlate with fewer injuries

“…This question, though, of what impact laws and policies have on firearm-related violence is incredibly difficult to answer [17]. Although there are many individual studies that tie firearms to violence, a systematic review of all available literature could not conclusively state that regulatory efforts put in place to curtail gun violence actually impacted such violence at all [8].…”

“…Seventy-five percent of the boys played with the real firearm, despite 75 % of the parents feeling sure that their child would not touch the real firearm and would play with the water gun only [1]. Another study looked at over 60,000 suicides among youth aged [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] and found that the CAP laws did not decrease the overall rates of suicide among the youth [7]. Yet, it does appear that CAP has a great effect on morbidity and mortality in states that have more strict penalties related to firearm possession and violence [10].…”

The Intersecting Roles of Violence, Gender, and Substance Use in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda

“…41 Male firearm usage is heavily influenced by substance use and impulsivity. 53 Male gender, binge drinking, drug use, violence involvement, and ED utilization are all independently associated with firearm access. However, firearm use is not entirely a “male” problem: although knives are the most frequently reported weapon of choice among female youth, 35 female firearm use is on the rise.…”

“…10 They are also the leading cause of death by suicide. 28,53 Substance use increases the risk of firearm-related injuries and death for both sexes. 41 …”