Youth &Illegal Gun Possession - A Systematic Review

• In Event: Public Perceptions and Firearms Enforcement

Abstract

The CDC report in 2022 concluded that gun violence accounted for 19,000 homicides and an average of 7000 injuries. Homicide was termed as the leading cause of death for aged 12 years to 18 years. It is also the leading cause of death for African American males aged 10 years to 44 years old. The main objective of this study is to understand risk factors associated with youth and illegal gun possession and protective factors in combating illicit firearm possession. Google Scholar, PubMed, and EBSCO databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies published, resulting in 30 publications. The results highlight the significance of ecological settings, exposure to gun violence, peers, substance use, conduct disorder, and Adverse Childhood Experiences as risk factors to youth and possession of illegal guns.

Author

• Aaron Mallory, University of Cincinnati