Research note: Using the NIJ threat level scale to classify firearms lethality

Abstract

This study evaluates a modified National Institute of Justice (NIJ) body armor threat level scale as a method to classify the capacity for firearms lethality. This study classified 8,254 firearms confiscated by police officers in St. Louis, Missouri from 1992 to 1994 and compared the NIJ scale against six other measures of firearms lethality. This study finds that the NIJ scale is a valid measure of classifying threat. Studies that compare firearms use trends, compare offender populations, or regional differences in firearms use can utilize this modified scale to classify firearms lethality.