NCJ Number
243203
Journal
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Volume: 62 Issue: 30 Dated: August 2, 2013 Pages: 597-602
Date Published
August 2013
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report examines firearm homicides and suicides as a continuing public health concern in the United States.
Abstract
Findings show that despite declining firearm homicide rates in most large metropolitan areas, rates collectively remained higher in these areas compared with the United States overall; prevention and intervention research should focus on identifying effective strategies for sustaining declines in firearm homicide rates and stemming recent increases in firearm suicide rates. During 2009-2010, homicide was the 15th leading cause of death (all ages) in the United States and the second leading cause among persons aged 10-19 years; a firearm injury was the underlying cause in 68 percent of all homicides and in 83 percent of homicides among youths. Residents of the 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) represented 54 percent of the U.S. population during 2009-2010 (unchanged from 2006-2007) but accounted for 64 percent of firearm homicide victims nationally. These MSAs accounted for 70 percent of the national firearm homicide total (2,368 of 3,397) among persons aged 10-19 years. Concurrently, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death (all ages) nationally and the third leading cause for persons aged 10-19 years; a firearm injury was the underlying cause in 51 percent of all suicides and in 40 percent of suicides among youths. Tables and references