Effectiveness of denial of handgun purchase to persons believed to be at high risk for firearm violence.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether denial of handgun purchase is an effective violence prevention strategy.


METHODS
Individuals denied handgun purchase because of a prior felony conviction and handgun purchasers with a felony arrest at time of purchase were examined.


RESULTS
Relative to those denied purchase, handgun purchasers were found to be at greater risk for subsequent offenses involving a gun (relative risk [RR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 1.36) or violence (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.39), after adjustment for number of prepurchase weapon/violence charges.


CONCLUSIONS
Denial of handgun purchase to persons with a prior felony conviction may lower their rate of subsequent criminal activity.
Wright
M A
MA
Violence Prevention Research Program, University of California, Davis, Sacramento 95817, USA.
Wintemute
G J
GJ
Rivara
F P
FP
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010067:Ownership / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data