UCD study: Gun purchases and violence surged during pandemic
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Firearm purchases and gun violence both surge dramatically during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study from the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program (VPRP), which was published this week in the medical journal Injury Epidemiology.
During the first five months of the pandemic, from March through July 2020, roughly 4.3 million more background checks for firearm purchases were conducted across the country than would normally have been an 85% increase. In total, more than 9 million firearms were purchased during those months, the study found.
The increase in gun sales corresponded with a rise in gun violence. From April through July 2020, there were roughly 4,075 more interpersonal firearm injuries than usual, including homicides and nonfatal firearm assault injuries an increase of about 27%.
US saw surge in firearm purchases and violence during first months of COVID-19 pandemic
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US saw surge in firearm purchases and violence during first months of COVID-19 pandemic
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