Title: Firearm Death Rates and Association with Level of Firearm Purchase Background Check

Publication Date: May 13, 2008

What does it say?

This study documents that background checks conducted at the local level are associated with lower firearm suicide rates and lower homicide rates.  Checks performed by local level agencies were associated with a 27 percent lower firearm suicide rate and a 22 percent lower homicide rate.  Checks conducted at the local level may provide more scrutiny of gun purchasers or have access to more records than checks at the federal or state level. 

How can I use it?

The results of this study can be used to advocate for extending Brady background checks to all gun sales, including those at gun shows and for similar laws at the state level.   Send the abstract of the study to your elected officials and incorporate the study results in materials used in outreach.

Citation

Sumner SA, Layde PM, Guse CE, “Firearm Death Rates and Association with Level of Firearm Purchase Background Check,” Am J Prev Med 35:1(July 2008):1-6.

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