Approximately a third of American households own a gun. With the arrival of hunting season each fall, firearms become more prominent as hunters retrieve them from storage for cleaning, maintenance, and to purchase additional guns and ammunition. This prompted researchers to investigate the potential impact on gun-related injuries, both during hunting activities and overall. The findings revealed a significant effect.
A study published in the BMJ on April 16 analyzed four consecutive deer-hunting seasons using data from the Gun Violence Archive, which collects information on firearm incidents from police reports and news sources and is considered a reliable source for epidemiological research. The study examined various types of firearm incidents in both rural and urban areas, noting that while hunting is often associated with rural communities, approximately 75% of deer hunters reside in metropolitan areas.
The research, conducted across 10 states, indicated that the commencement of deer hunting season correlated with a general increase in firearm incidents, showing about a 12.3% rise from the norm. As expected, hunting-related firearm incidents saw a substantial increase of 566%, though these remained relatively infrequent compared to other types of incidents.
Notably, increases were observed in more prevalent categories of firearm incidents unrelated to hunting, including suicide (11.1% increase), incidents involving alcohol or substance use (87.5% increase), defensive gun use (27.8% increase), domestic violence (27.4% increase), home invasion/robbery (30.4% increase), and incidents related to proper gun licensing (19.4% increase). The study did not find significant increases in incidents involving children or police officers.
The results of this study align with those of a similar study that focused on [a specific topic, to be filled in]. Both studies have important implications.
Firstly, hunting season may present broader injury risks than previously recognized. While hunting-related gun injuries are anticipated, the study highlights that the increased availability of firearms at the beginning of hunting season may elevate the risk of non-hunting-related gun injuries, including suicide and violent crime.
While the study identified increases in gun injuries at the start of hunting season, awareness and preparation should begin well in advance. Besides fundamental firearm safety practices, such as treating every firearm as loaded, preventative measures include using various types of gun locks and lockboxes, disassembling firearms, storing them outside the home at the location where they will be used (e.g., a shooting range), and keeping ammunition separate until it is needed. Cable locks, though potentially less effective than other methods, are better than no protection and may be available to firearm owners at no cost.
Secondly, the study’s findings contribute to the broader, often debated issue of how gun availability affects gun-related injuries. The most reliable evidence on this matter comes from “natural experiments,” which identify situations where gun availability or access experiences significant changes.
For example, in the months following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting—an event that occurred randomly with respect to gun availability and the risk of firearm-related incidents—an estimated 3 million additional firearms were sold in the U.S., which correlated with an estimated 57 to 66 additional accidental gun-related deaths.
The period leading up to hunting season, when firearms suddenly become more available and accessible, presents a similar opportunity to examine the effects on firearm incidents, both hunting-related and non-hunting-related.
Firearm safety is a shared priority for gun owners and the broader American public. Recognizing that the commencement of hunting season introduces gun injury risks beyond hunting itself can contribute to greater safety during that time of year.
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