Objective:
This research study examined the impact of gun laws on the prevalence of youth gun carrying behavior. Using the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, the percentage of youth reporting gun carrying behavior in 20 of the 50 US states was estimated and comparisons were made between these states and the total number of gun laws. The total number of gun laws in a state was a significant predictor of youth gun carrying, such that as the number of gun laws increased, the percentage of youth reporting gun carrying decreased.
Method:
Two models were assessed using generalized estimating equations (GEE): (1) youth gun carrying, (2) youth weapon carrying at school (e.g., guns, knives, clubs). The sample for Model 1 included data for 20 of the 50 U.S. states with 1 state from the northeast, 4 from the midwest, 10 from the south, and 5 from the west. The sample for Model 2 included 33 of the 50 U.S. states with 3 states from the northeast, 9 from the midwest, 12 from the south, and 9 from the west. Data for each state across the 2005-2017 YRBSS biennial surveys were included in the analysis.
Project Status:
Completed
Principal Investigator (PI):
John F Gunn III, PhD, Paul Boxer, PhD