National Data Sources on the Risk and Incidence of Firearm-Related Injuries and Deaths

Brian Wiersema, University of Maryland

This poster identifies and describes nationally representative data systems relevant to demographic research on firearm-related deaths and injuries and their associated risk factors including access, ownership and use of firearms. Annest and Mercy (1998) catalogued 13 such data systems administered by the U.S. Government that permit national estimates of fatal or nonfatal firearm-related injuries, of incidents involving firearms, or of associated risks and practices. I add ongoing non-federally administered data collections; recent, one-time federal data collections; and new systems under development. Like Annest and Mercy, I conclude that while all systems produce useful information, the depth of information is limited. Significant gaps in our ability to monitor firearm-related events still exist. The main issue is the inability to capture the details and complexity of incidents in which firearm deaths and injuries occur. Development of new data systems, especially a National Violent Death Reporting System, promises to address important shortcomings.