@article{ref1,
title="Purchaser licensing, point-of-sale background check laws, and firearm homicide and suicide in 4 US states, 1985-2017",
journal="American journal of public health",
year="2020",
author="McCourt, Alexander D. and Crifasi, Cassandra K. and Stuart, Elizabeth A. and Vernick, Jon S. and Kagawa, Rose M. C. and Wintemute, Garen J. and Webster, Daniel W.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVEs. To estimate and compare the effects of state background check policies on firearm-related mortality in 4 US states.<br><br>METHODS. Annual data from 1985 to 2017 were used to examine Maryland and Pennsylvania, which implemented point-of-sale comprehensive background check (CBC) laws for handgun purchasers; Connecticut, which adopted a handgun purchaser licensing law; and Missouri, which repealed a similar law. Using synthetic control methods, we estimated the effects of these laws on homicide and suicide rates stratified by firearm involvement.<br><br>RESULTS. There was no consistent relationship between CBC laws and mortality rates. There were estimated decreases in firearm homicide (27.8%) and firearm suicide (23.2%-40.5%) rates associated with Connecticut's law. There were estimated increases in firearm homicide (47.3%), nonfirearm homicide (18.1%), and firearm suicide (23.5%) rates associated with Missouri's repeal.<br><br>CONCLUSIONS. Purchaser licensing laws coupled with CBC requirements were consistently associated with lower firearm homicide and suicide rates, but CBC laws alone were not.Public Health Implications. Our results contribute to a body of research showing that CBC laws are not associated with reductions in firearm-related deaths unless they are coupled with handgun purchaser licensing laws. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print August 20, 2020: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305822).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0090-0036",
doi="10.2105/AJPH.2020.305822",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305822"
}