Firearm Injury & Death

Since our founding in 2017, AFFIRM at the Aspen Institute has enabled and funded transformative, high-impact innovations to reduce firearm injury in the United States. In addition, we have created a coalition of major US healthcare leadership organizations, representing over two-thirds of American physicians. Together, with a wide array of community-focused organizations such as 4H Shooting Sports Clubs, we leverage our expertise against this epidemic.

We believe in an inclusive approach to a historically divisive topic. Firearm injury is a non-partisan problem that transcends class, race, and geography. Each of us, our families, and our communities are at risk of firearm injury every day. Each one of us, therefore, can be part of the solution. There are no sidelines - only front lines.

 

20% Increase in Firearm Related Deaths

The CDC defines an epidemic as the occurrence of more cases of the disease, injury, or other health condition than expected in a given area or among a specific group of persons during a particular period.

Types of Firearm Injury

Fewer than 1% of gun-related deaths are from mass shootings, counter to common beliefs, but nearly 75% of Americans report being afraid of a mass shooting incident. All of these types of firearm injuries and deaths are preventable.
 

The Drivers of Firearm Injury

Private citizens own approximately 430 million guns in the United States. Unfortunately, only 46% of firearms are stored safely, and less than 2/3 of gun owners have received formal gun safety training.

Overlapping and Compounding Risk Factors Include:

  • Prior violence: Prior exposure to violence is one of the most significant predictors of future violence. Youth who have been in physical fights or bullied, and adults who have been shot or arrested, are at higher future risk of both getting shot and shooting others.

  • Domestic Violence: A woman's risk of being killed increases exponentially if her abuser has access to a gun. People who perpetrate domestic violence are more likely to shoot themselves and others.

  • Substance Abuse: The use of illicit drugs and alcohol changes how the mind works and diminishes an individual's ability to cope with the stressors that many of us experience in life. When unaddressed or untreated and combined with firearm access, the risk for suicide, homicide, and unintentional shootings increases.

  • Mental Health Concerns: Depression and hopelessness are deeply linked to the risk of firearm suicide. Further, mental illness does not, in general, increase the risk of hurting others. Having a mental illness increases one's risk of being a victim of violence.

  • Aging Population: Individuals living with dementia and their families are at an increased risk of firearm suicide, homicide, and unintentional injury as cognitive function declines.