Influence of Weapon Types on the Patterns and Outcomes of Violent Encounters

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

This study aims to improve our knowledge about the structuring effect of firearms on criminal violence. Data were collected from police reports for the 2011-2012 period. In keeping with Cook’s conceptual framework, information was collected on victims, offenders, contexts and outcomes associated with the violent encounter. The analytical strategy was divided in two stages. First, logistic regressions were conducted to estimate the probability of gun use according to victim, offender and contextual variables. Second, using propensity score matching, the average treatment effect (ATE) of gun on the risk of fatal and non-fatal injuries during violent crimes was estimated. Results suggest that crimes committed with guns are different from those committed with other methods. Violent crimes involving guns are more likely to implicate, among other things: 1) two or more assailants (OR=2.80); 2) male assailants (OR=9.01); two or more victims (OR=2.37); victims aged 20-44 (OR=1.23); and individuals associated with criminal groups (OR=1.85). When cases are balanced the aforementioned factors, results show that gun use increases the risk of fatal injury (ATE=0.012) and reduces the risk of non-fatal injuries in robberies (ATE=-0.206). Results suggest that guns are used by strong offenders against invulnerable targets and act as the great enhancer.

Authors

• Rita Lam, Université de Montréal

• Etienne Blais, Université de Montréal

• Remi Boivin, Université de Montréal