@article{ref1,
title="Firearm legislation and fatal police shootings in the United States",
journal="American journal of public health",
year="2017",
author="Kivisto, Aaron J. and Ray, Bradley and Phalen, Peter L.",
volume="107",
number="7",
pages="1068-1075",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To examine whether stricter firearm legislation is associated with rates of fatal police shootings. <br><br>METHODS: We used a cross-sectional, state-level design to evaluate the effect of state-level firearm legislation on rates of fatal police shootings from January 1, 2015, through October 31, 2016. We measured state-level variation in firearm laws with legislative scorecards from the Brady Center, and for fatal police shootings we used The Counted, an online database maintained by The Guardian. <br><br>RESULTS: State-level firearm legislation was significantly associated with lower rates of fatal police shootings (incidence rate ratio = 0.961; 95% confidence interval = 0.939, 0.984). When we controlled for sociodemographic factors, states in the top quartile of legislative strength had a 51% lower incidence rate than did states in the lowest quartile. Laws aimed at strengthening background checks, promoting safe storage, and reducing gun trafficking were associated with fewer fatal police shootings. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Legislative restrictions on firearms are associated with reductions in fatal police shootings. Public Health Implications. Although further research is necessary to determine causality and potential mechanisms, firearm legislation is a potential policy solution for reducing fatal police shootings in the United States. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print May 18, 2017: e1-e8. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.303770).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0090-0036",
doi="10.2105/AJPH.2017.303770",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303770"
}