Firearm availability and sex-specific mortality rates in Europe

Abstract

Compared to the number of studies focusing on the United States, studies of gun violence in Europe are relatively few in number. Those studies that do touch on Europe have generally failed to exclusively utilize European data and to incorporate data from all possible countries across the continent. Studies in Europe have also tended to examine only aggregated outcomes, thereby failing to account for possible differences in how gun violence affects different groups. This study begins the process of filling these gaps by utilizing OLS regression and a cross-section of data from 40 European countries to determine how firearm availability across Europe affects mortality rates among men and women. Results indicate that firearm availability is positively associated with multiple measures of mortality among European men and women. Policymakers seeking to prevent violence in their respective countries should view the prevention of gun violence and the regulation of civilian-owned firearms as key priorities.