TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Wounding patterns based on firearm type in civilian public mass shootings in the United States
JO  - Journal of the American Academy of Surgeons
A1  - Sarani, Babak
A1  - Hendrix, Cheralyn
A1  - Matecki, Mary
A1  - Estroff, Jordan
A1  - Amdur, Richard L.
A1  - Robinson, Bryce Rh
A1  - Shapiro, Geoff
A1  - Gondek, Stephen
A1  - Mitchell, Roger
A1  - Smith, E. Reed
SP  - 228
EP  - 234
VL  - 228
IS  - 3
N2  - 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. <br><br>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). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: CPMS events with a handgun are more lethal than those associated with use of a rifle.<br><br>Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1072-7515
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.11.014
ID  - ref1
ER  -