Research

Reduced Incidence of Arrest Following an Extreme Risk Protection Order Among Respondents in California

“Extreme risk protection orders are often talked about as a way to prevent suicide, but our findings show they may do more than that. People subject to these orders in California were less likely to be arrested for violence or other crimes while the orders were in effect and even after they ended, suggesting ERPOs have a meaningful role to play in preventing interpersonal violence.”

-Veronica Pear, assistant professor and lead author

How can clinicians effectively counsel patients about the risk of firearm injury?

About the StudyIN TWO SENTENCES

Clinicians have a unique opportunity to contribute to the prevention of firearm-related injury and death. The 3As Framework provides clinicians with the tools to have respectful, effective conversations about firearms with their patients and clients, their family members and caregivers.

These conversations can feel difficult. But with training and a risk-based approach, clinicians can guide patients and their families to better understand the risks of having firearms in the home.”

Life events and change in support for political violence in the United States

About the PaperFINDINGS IN BRIEF 
  • Support for political violence decreased for 19.9% of respondents, increased for 14.2%, and remained unchanged for 65.9%.
  • "Things improved for me financially" was associated with decreased support for political violence.
  • "I gave up on politics" was associated with increased support for political violence.
  • Those who reported that violence was usually or always justified for at least 1 political objective in 2022 had no events associated with change in support in 2023.
  • Among those who

Militancy in the military

About the Study IN ONE SENTENCE

While some modest differences emerged between military and non-military respondents, overall, findings indicated that military service and combat experience did not act as risk factors for support for and willingness to engage in political violence, or approval of extremist organizations and movements.

The MAGA movement and political violence in 2024

AbstractFINDINGS IN BRIEF 
  • More than 50% MAGA Republicans considered violence usually or always justified to advance at least 1 of 21 specified political objectives (MAGA Republicans, 55.9%; non-MAGA non-Republicans, 25.5%).
  • MAGA Republicans were more likely than non-MAGA non-Republicans to predict civil war “in the next few years” (10.4% and 5.4%, respectively) and to agree that “the United States needs a civil war to set things right” (7.8% and 2.4%, respectively).
  • MAGA Republicans more frequently predicted that they would be armed with a firearm in a setting wher

Fear, loathing, and support for political violence in the United States

About the StudyFINDINGS IN BRIEF 
  • In 2023, strong agreement with expressions of 7 forms of hatred, fear, and enmity toward others was common in the United States: homonegativity, 26.4%; racism, 19.1%; transphobia, 17.1%; xenophobia, 10.3%; hostile sexism, 8.1%; Islamophobia, 5.5%; antisemitism, 3.2%.
  • For each of them, strong agreement was significantly associated with the view that political violence is justified.

Public opinion on civil war in the USA as of mid-2024

About the StudyFINDINGS IN BRIEF 
  • Strong or very strong agreement that civil war was coming and that it was needed were both uncommon and did not increase from 2023 to 2024 (6.5% and 3.6%, respectively, in 2024; 5.7% and 3.8%, respectively, in 2023).

Effects of implementing permissive campus carry laws

AbstractBACKGROUND

Following the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which ruled a New York concealed-carry permitting requirement unconstitutional, laws restricting the public carrying of firearms in “sensitive places,” like college campuses, have received increasing attention. However, there is little evidence for whether permissive campus carry policies increase firearm violence or, via deterrence, reduce general crime on campus.