From the feds

Abstract

Emergency nurses who deal with firearm-related injuries and their effect on victims and their families will be encouraged to learn that the rate of these injuries has decreased in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a recent issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published a report stating that overall, nonfatal and fatal firearm-related injury rates declined consistently from 1993 through 1997. In 1997, 32,436 deaths resulted from firearm injuries, down 18% from a record 39,595 deaths in 1993. Also in 1997, an estimated 64,207 persons sustained nonfatal firearm-related injuries and were treated in US hospital emergency departments. This figure dropped from 104,390 in 1993, representing a 41% decrease. 1 Hoyert DL Kochanek KD Murphy SL Deaths: final data for 1997. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 1999 Jun; 30: 1-104 Google Scholar This substantial decline was consistent by gender, race/ethnicity, age, and intent of injury, and coincides with a 21% decrease in violent crime for the same period. 2 Rand M Criminal victimization 1997: changes 1996-1997 with trends 1993-1997. US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Washington, DC1998 December Google Scholar