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1/11: Is the #COVID19 epidemic increasing the risk of #firearminjury? Evidence suggests that heightened social, psychological, and economic stressors, combined with an increase in gun purchasing, might be a deadly recipe.
2/11: Americans bought 2.1 million more guns between March and May 2020 than expected based on prior purchasing rates, researchers @UCDavisEM estimate.
3/11: More guns = more injuries. There were 216 to 1335 fatal and nonfatal injuries from interpersonal firearm violence associated with purchasing spikes.
4/11: In California, an estimated 110,000 adults bought guns due to #COVID19. Nearly half were new owners—who may have little experience with guns and for whom training in safe handling and storage may be especially important.
5/11: People who bought guns were worried about lawlessness, prisoner releases, government collapse, and government overreach during the pandemic. Self-protection was the most common reason cited for purchase.
6/11: An estimated 55,000 gun owners in California began storing at least one #firearm in the least secure way—loaded and not locked up—due to the pandemic.
7/11: Half of these gun owners live with #children or #teens, who are at particularly high risk of unintentional #firearminjury and #suicide.
8/11: 1 in 4 young adults said they have seriously considered suicide during the pandemic, according to @CDC.
9/11: Having a firearm in the home increases the risk of completed suicide by 3x, largely because firearms are the most lethal method.
10/11:
Bottom line:
- more people have guns at home
- more people, especially children/teens, are spending
more time at home
- more people are experiencing financial hardship,
loneliness, isolation, and relationship stress due to #COVID19
Bottom line:
- more people have guns at home
- more people, especially children/teens, are spending
more time at home
- more people are experiencing financial hardship,
loneliness, isolation, and relationship stress due to #COVID19
11/11: How can we reduce the risk of #firearminjury? If you’re a clinician, ASSESS RISK of firearm violence or suicide, TALK w/ at-risk patients about the importance of safe firearm storage, & know how to INTERVENE when someone is at acute risk. More Info: http://BulletPointsProject.org
