A review of legislation restricting the intersection of firearms and alcohol in the U.S.
OBJECTIVE
In the United States, injury is a leading cause of alcohol-related death, and alcohol use is the leading risk factor for injury. We reviewed state and federal legislation regulating the intersection of alcohol and firearms.


METHODS
We examined the current criminal codes of all 50 states and the District of Columbia using the databases Westlaw and LexisNexis to review restrictions on firearm use while intoxicated.


RESULTS
We found three types of laws in 26 states that restrict firearm use by intoxicated people: sales or transfers are restricted in six states, carrying of concealed weapons is restricted in four states, and possession or discharge of a firearm while intoxicated is restricted in 20 states.


CONCLUSIONS
Regulation of the carrying and use of firearms by acutely intoxicated individuals may represent a public health opportunity to reduce firearm-related injury.
Carr
Brendan G
BG
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. carrb@upenn.edu
Porat
Gali
G
Wiebe
Douglas J
DJ
Branas
Charles C
CC
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000517:prevention & control; D003132:Commerce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003416:Criminal Law; D005389:Firearms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States