Impact of a Permitless Concealed Firearm Carry Law in West Virginia, 1999–2015 and 2016–2020.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Lundstrom, Eric W., ; Pence, Jacob K.; Smith, Gordon S.
- Source
- American Journal of Public Health; Nov2023, Vol. 113 Issue 11, p1163-1166, 4p
- Subject
- Human services programs
Gun laws
Lifting & carrying (Human mechanics)
Time
Firearms
Shootings (Crime)
Mortality
West Virginia
- Language
- ISSN
- 00900036
We used firearm mortality and sales data to assess the impact of HB 4145, a May 2016 law that legalized concealed firearm carry without a permit in West Virginia. Firearm mortality was significantly higher (29%) in the years after the enactment of the law; handgun mortality was also higher (48% increase), whereas long gun deaths and firearm sales were unaffected. This may suggest that HB 4145 increased rates of firearm-related mortality in West Virginia without affecting firearm sales in the state. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(11):1163–1166. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307382) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]