FY '22 Progress Report

RUTGERS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 683 HOES LANE WEST PISCATAWAY, NJ 08854 732-470-0438

NJGVRC

NJGVRC

@NJGVRC

https://bit.ly/3vorxyh

HTTPS://GUNVIOLENCERESEARCHCENTER.RUTGERS.EDU/

This progress report aims to summarize GVRC research, publications, active externally funded grants, research projects funded by the GVRC, community outreach projects and partnerships, and communications conducted by the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) during FY22. The GVRC's mission is to conduct and fund cutting-edge scientific research on gun violence prevention and serve as a voice to make scientific information available to all communities impacted by gun violence. Our plan is to focus on all aspects of gun violence, specifically firearm suicide and interpersonal gun violence. The GVRC is committed to combating racial disparities that leave marginalized communities shouldering a disproportionate burden of interpersonal gun violence and we plan to partner with groups like our service and community members heavily impacted by gun violence.

a year's overview

MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP Michael Anestis, PhD The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) strives to be a center for excellence in research on gun violence that will contribute to safer and healthier communities. We endeavor to achieve this through multidisciplinary research on gun violence, with an emphasis on translating the science into clear and actionable policies and effective programs—in a real-world context— to ensure widespread adoption. To that end, a huge part of our vision is the communication of science to communities that would most benefit from this information by initiating conversations that are grounded in data but also speak from a variety of perspectives in hope of reaching a broader audience.

Although our focus is on research, training and education, and outreach, we continue to capitalize on the existing strengths of local, state, and national agencies, and on Rutgers’ ongoing collaborative relationships with external organizations. With this collaborative effort, the GVRC helps to facilitate data linkage that advances gun research throughout the state, while producing and supporting original research on gun violence.

During FY22, we published a number of peer reviewed scientific articles, secured several large federally funded grants, presented our findings to community and academic audiences across the country, expanded our free library of online information about gun violence, and hosted a variety of online events focused on a range of gun-violence related topics. Our efforts included training a postdoctoral fellow, four doctoral students, and a large number of eager graduate and undergraduate interns. In May 2022, we hosted our first annual GVRC Student Day and GVRC Research Day, with Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, Governor Phil Murphy, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman providing opening remarks for the event, which featured presentations from the many scientists whose gun violence research we funded this past year. In the coming year, we anticipate expanding the scope of our work and the size of our team, reaching as much of New Jersey as possible, and ensuring that our work provides meaningful progress in our understanding of the causes of and solutions for gun violence. We aim to be a resource for the people of New Jersey and a meaningful piece in the effort to prevent gun violence.

Sincerely,

GVRC Executive Director, Michael Anestis, Ph.D.

GVRC Assistant Director, R. Thurman Barnes, JD, MDiv

R.Thurman Barnes, JD, MDiv

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Firearm-Related Publications

GVRC research papers that were published in national accredited publications.

Research Projects

Active and ongoing GVRC research projects.

Active Externally Funded Grants

GVRC funded gun-related research projects with scholars, community members, community organizations, healthcare leaders, and alike.

Channels of Communications and Analytics An outline of all the GVRC interviews, podcasts, social media, conferences, events, and more.

Press Release and Annoucements Listed are all of the Rutgers Today GVRC interviews, Q&A, and announcements.

Community Engagement GVRC interFatih Affiliates program.

The NJGVRC works in collaboration with and is supported by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE).

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Gun Ownership

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In this study, we examined a sample of 408 male firearm owners oversampled for prior thoughts of suicide. We found that over 40% of firearm owners in the sample endorsed at least occasionally storing firearms in their vehicles, with 15% reporting that firearms in their vehicles are stored unlocked and loaded. Those who stored firearms in their vehicles endorsed elevated scores on worry, negative affect, intolerance of uncertainty, and prior suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Given the increase in firearm thefts from vehicles in recent years, this highlights potential prompters of this risky behavior.

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Year II of Multistate Survey

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Year II of Trauma Center Project

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Illicit Firearm Ownership in New Jersey

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Community Perceptions of Gun Violence in New Jersey

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Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) Survey

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VRC WEBSITE ANALYTICS

These pie charts showcase the monthly website new visitors vs. returning visitors from July 2020 to June 2021 versus July 2021 to June 2022.

The majority of GVRC visitors are from the United States.

Jul 1, 2020 - Jun 30, 2021

Jul 1, 2021 - Jun 30, 2022 877

479

2,873

6,406

*Numbers are based off an average from July 2021 to June 2022

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"WHO IS OUR AUDIENCE?"

These metrics are an important way for the GVRC to track, monitor effectiveness, and develop communications strategies to enhance the reach of our message. Analyzing the age, gender, and website visitors help uncover new opportunities for content, as well as lets us know which platforms are the most effective means of communicating and engaging online.

Female 1,098 Users Male 889 Users

*Numbers are based off an average from July 2021 to June 2022

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#NJGVRC TWITTER

*Numbers are based off an average from July 2021 to June 2022

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NJGVRC FACEBOOK

*Numbers are based off an average from July 2021 to June 2022

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NJGVRC FACEBOOK

*Numbers are based off an average from July 2021 to June 2022

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GVRC IN THE NEWS

The GVRC participates as columnists and contributors in several editorials on firearm suicides and interpersonal gun violence. Take a glimpse into some of the many op-eds, interviews, podcasts, and conferences that the GVRC has contributed to.

To view more visit the website.

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Research center focuses on preventing gun violence in NJ VIEW HERE

NJ Reg Flag Discus NJ Gun Safety 3.0 Law

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Murphy calls on NJ lawmakers to pass gun reform measures VIEW HERE

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More cops in schools — the first answer, not the best VIEW HERE

Public pressure could build support for Murphy on gun control VIEW HERE

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View Here https://globalnews.ca/news/8968539/highland-park-shooting/

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The GVRC has hosted and taken part in several events throughout FY22. Our communication efforts extend through emailing our listserv with GVRC announcements highlighting newly published research papers, special events, social media, GVRC partnerships, speaking engagements, and more.

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Political Remarks

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Keynote Speakers

Dr. Joseph Richardson

Dr. Emmy Betz

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GVRC Day Highlights

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Another source of our communication efforts is our GVRC email announcements and press releases that highlight newly published research papers on gun violence and more.

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