Cochrane at Mason staff members have contributed to a recent report from the Pew Research Center’s Social and Demographic Trends Project which examines trends in firearm homicide, non-fatal violent gun crime victimization and non-fatal violent crime victimization over the last two decades.
Director Catherine A. Gallagher provided guidance on the report’s data analysis and comments on earlier drafts. Research associate Kevin T. Maass provided analysis of the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports.
"The analysis of any large, federal database is always intensive and requires persistence,” Maass said. “However, it is always a bonus when the finished product reveals previously unreported trends."
Over the past few months, gun violence and the debate over gun control has received significant public attention. Yet most Americans are unaware that fewer gun crimes are committed today than twenty years ago. National rates of gun homicide and other violent gun crimes are strikingly lower now than during their peak in the mid-1990s.
"The results of the Pew study highlights information that has been available, but not thoroughly examined. I think this report is just the beginning of the discussion concerning firearm violence," Maass said.
To read the full report click here. A slide show of the study can be found here.
May 09, 2013
