JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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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.
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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.
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To conduct the first nationwide investigation of violent deaths associated with schools in the United States, to quantify the risk of school-associated violent death, and to identify epidemiologic features of these deaths. ⋯ School-associated violent deaths were more common than previously estimated. The epidemiologic features of these deaths were similar to those of homicides and suicides that occur elsewhere. A comprehensive approach that addresses violent injury and death among young people at school and elsewhere in the community is suggested.