The Firearms Data Gap

Abstract

The firearms data infrastructure in the United States is severely limited in scope and fragmented in nature. Improved data systems are needed in order to address gun violence and promote productive conversation about gun policy. In the absence of federal leadership in firearms data systems improvement, motivated states may take proactive steps to stitch gaps in data systems. We propose that states evaluate the gaps in their systems, expand data collection, and improve data presentation and availability.

Characterizing Firearms-Related Injuries and Craniofacial Fractures: A TQIP Study

“…Associations between race/ethnicity were less consistent across LOS, ICU duration, and mortality. Compared to the NEDS study, in which the median LOS was 4 (IQR: 2-9) our cohort had a slightly longer admission duration on average (median: 6 [IQR: [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]), although our study had a lower mortality rate (15.8%) compared to theirs at 28.7%.…”

“…Even among states that mandate hospitals to record firearm incidents, significant inconsistencies and divergent reporting practices complicate evaluation of traditional hospital data systems (eg, billing data). 10…”

“…Even among states that mandate hospitals to record firearm incidents, significant inconsistencies and divergent reporting practices complicate evaluation of traditional hospital data systems (eg, billing data). 10 Furthermore, few studies have explored trends in FAI outcomes from a craniofacial trauma perspective. Among the 2 largest studies that have been conducted, 1 employed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2003 to 2010, 11 while the other used the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) from 2008 to 2013.…”

Challenges, Successes, and the Future of Firearm Injury Prevention

“…The field of firearm injury prevention has not had adequate access to relevant administrative data because of the data not being collected, existing data not being available to researchers, 38 or data being available to researchers that is not comprehensive or has many flaws. For example, we do not currently have a reliable source for rates of nonfatal firearm injuries; thus, evaluations of policies and interventions to prevent these injuries are limited through the lack of data available 94,95 . Those limitations hamper the understanding of the effects of policies and interventions, ultimately delaying their improvement.…”

“…For example, we do not currently have a reliable source for rates of nonfatal firearm injuries; thus, evaluations of policies and interventions to prevent these injuries are limited through the lack of data available. 94 , 95 Those limitations hamper the understanding of the effects of policies and interventions, ultimately delaying their improvement. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive administrative data on firearms transactions means that some policies may be made impotent and ineffective or, at the least, less effective, when enacted.…”