Work

Impact of a Permitless Concealed Firearm Carry Law in West Virginia, 1999–2015 and 2016–2020

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: We used firearm mortality and sales data to assess the impact of HB 4145, a May 2016 law that legalized concealed firearm carry without a permit in West Virginia. Firearm mortality was significantly higher (29%) in the years after the enactment of the law; handgun mortality was also higher (45% increase), whereas long gun deaths and firearm sales were unaffected. This may suggest that HB 4145 increased rates of firearm-related mortality in West Virginia without affecting firearm sales in the state. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(11):1163–1166. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307382 )

Source: American Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2023.307382

Authors: Eric W. Lundstrom, Jacob K. Pence, Gordon S. Smith

Institution: West Virginia University

Language: English

Topic: Gun Ownership and Violence Research

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences