A Prospective Study on Firearm Deaths: The Feasibility Component

Moyer, Sharon, Peter Carrington and Lee Axon
FRU1998-1e

Research Summary

The purpose of this exploratory research was to examine the feasibility of conducting a prospective study on firearms deaths utilizing coroners and medical examiners to collect previously unavailable data on firearm deaths. The research was conducted over a three month period in Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia. The intent was to collect information prospectively, that is, at the time of the coroners' investigation into the firearm death. Specifically, the research aimed to determine the feasibility of collecting detailed contextual data on incidents and circumstances surrounding firearm homicides, suicides, and accidental deaths. The key data elements included: firearm type, when the firearm was acquired, shooters' previous experience with firearms, firearm storage and ownership, demographic information on the victim, personal history, and factors contributing to the incident. Such data would be used to develop typologies of firearm deaths to further inform prevention policies and strategies. The authors found that it would be feasible to undertake the longer-term study and develop typologies provided that certain conditions are met. The report concludes by outlining specific recommendations.

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This present study was funded by the Canada Firearms Centre, Department of Justice Canada. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Justice Canada.

The information may be reproduced, in whole or in part and by any means, without further permission of the Department of Justice Canada. No such reproduction shall indicate that the Department of Justice is in any way responsible for the accuracy or reliability of the reproduction, nor shall any such reproduction indicate that it was made with the endorsement of, or in affiliation with, the Department of Justice Canada.