Weapons in the lives of battered women.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed weapon use in intimate partner violence and perspectives on hypothetical firearm policies.


METHODS
We conducted structured in-person interviews with 417 women in 67 battered women's shelters.


RESULTS
Words, hands/fists, and feet were the most common weapons used against and by battered women. About one third of the battered women had a firearm in the home. In two thirds of these households, the intimate partner used the gun(s) against the woman, usually threatening to shoot/kill her (71.4%) or to shoot at her (5.1%). Most battered women thought spousal notification/consultation regarding gun purchase would be useful and that a personalized firearm ("smart gun") in the home would make things worse.


CONCLUSIONS
A wide range of objects are used as weapons against intimate partners. Firearms, especially handguns, are more common in the homes of battered women than in households in the general population.
School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.. sorenson@ucla.edu
Susan B
SB
Sorenson
Douglas J
DJ
Wiebe
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D018585:Battered Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010067:Ownership / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires