Citation

Sarani B, Hendrix C, Matecki M, Estroff J, Amdur RL, Robinson BR, Shapiro G, Gondek S, Mitchell R, Smith ER. J. Am. Coll. Surg. 2019; 228(3): 228-234.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American College of Surgeons, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.11.014

PMID

30529633

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are no studies correlating wounding pattern or probability of death based on firearm type used in civilian public mass shooting (CPMS) events. Previous studies on non-CPMS events found that handguns are more lethal than rifles. We hypothesize that CPMS events associated with a handgun are also more lethal than those associated with a rifle. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of autopsy reports from CPMS events was performed. CPMS was defined using the FBI and the Congressional Research Service definition. Site(s) of injury, site(s) of fatal injury, and presence of potentially preventable death (PPD) were determined independently by each author and cross-referenced to firearm type used.

RESULTS: Autopsy reports of 232 victims from 23 events were reviewed. Seventy-three victims (31%) were shot using handguns, 105 (45%) by rifles, 22 (9%) by shotguns, and 32 (14%) by multiple firearms. Events using a handgun were associated with a higher percentage killed and events using a rifle were associated with more people shot, although neither difference reached statistical significance. Victims shot using handguns had the highest percentage of having more than one fatal wound (26%) while those shot by rifle had the lowest percentage (2%) (p=0.003). Thirty-eight victims (16%) were judged to have had a PPD. Probability of having a PPD was lowest for events involving a handgun (4%) and highest for events involving a rifle (23%) (p=0.002). Wounding with a handgun was significantly associated with brain (p=0.007) and cardiac injury (p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: CPMS events with a handgun are more lethal than those associated with use of a rifle.

Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

firearm type; preventable death; public mass shooting