Issuu

PROGRESS REPORT FISCAL YEAR

Rutgers School of Public Health Piscataway, New Jersey

NJGVRC

@NJGVRC

https://bit.ly/3vorxyh

HTTPS://GUNVIOLENCERESEARCHCENTER.RUTGERS.EDU/

#NJGVRC

INTRODUCTION

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 FY24. 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.

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MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP

MICHAEL ANESTIS, PHD GVRC Executive Director

R.THURMAN BARNES, JD MDIV GVRC Assistant Director

DANIEL SEMENZA, PHD

Dir. of Interpersonal Violence Research

The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) aims to address all forms of gun violence and to do so in a manner that has a tangible impact on the communities we serve. Our primary mission has two aims: (1) To conduct and fund cutting edge research on all forms of gun violence and (2) to disseminate the science of gun violence prevention broadly so as to empower communities to make data-driven policy and program demands that meet their local needs. Given the historical underfunding of gun violence research, far too few scientists have devoted their careers to this field. The GVRC believes that a vital component to addressing that issue is the training of young scholars in gun violence prevention science, thereby setting the field on the path to feature increasing numbers of young scientists leveraging their skills to develop, test, and disseminate possibilities for preventing gun violence. To this end, the GVRC currently employs five doctoral students from a range of disciplines. We also feature three postdoctoral fellows. Each of these young scholars has been a key member of our team, contributing to our research and dissemination efforts and bringing invaluable energy to the center. The GVRC also emphasizes the importance of speaking to and working with individuals from all political perspectives and from a diverse range of communities. There are plenty of firearm-related issues that people disagree on vociferously, but there are also many on which we agree. We feel it is essential to ensure that we are not conducting our work in an echo chamber, missing or even alienating the communities we most need to reach. To that end, we have developed partnerships and collaborations with an enormous range of individuals with the capability to influence various aspects of gun violence prevention, and we will strive to further increase that range. This past year, the GVRC continued to welcome in new trainees, published a number of impactful peer reviewed manuscripts, secured externally funded grants, and regularly engaged with the media. We hosted our third annual GVRC Research Day, an online event highlighting all work funded this year by the GVRC as well as providing a platform for community voices to speak on the issue of gun violence in New Jersey. We also hosted the second annual GVRC Summit, an in person event bringing together scientists, policy makers, healthcare providers, and community members to make actionable steps towards addressing specific aspects of gun violence in New Jersey.This year, the Summit was headlined by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Corporate Annual Report 2023

5-28

29-36

31-40

42-49

50-72

73-80

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS GVRC research papers that were published in peer reviewed publications.

GVRC FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS GVRC funded gun violence prevention research grants covering all forms of gun violence.

EXTERNALLY FUNDED PROJECTS Grants from different external organizations awarded to the GVRC

EVENTS

GVRC events are designed to be inclusive, informative, and interactive, offering a space for community members, researchers, and local and state leaders to foster foster a dialogue on gun violence prevention

IN THE NEWS GVRC media interaction; interviews, news articles, podcasts, and conferences

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE ANALYTICS

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FIREAM- RELATED

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS Visual Abstracts

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JULY 2023

The Relationship between Concealed Carry Licenses and Firearm Homicide in the US: A Reciprocal County-Level Analysis

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the reciprocal county-level relationship between the number of concealed carry weapon (CCW) licenses issued and homicides between 2010 and 2019 in a sample of eleven states. We utilize a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) approach accounting for reciprocal effects over time between homicide and concealed carry licenses, providing a robust methodological approach to the study of concealed carry and homicide.

Read the full article here

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR We found no evidence that homicides are reduced where there are more concealed carry licenses,” said,” said Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and co-author of the study. “On the contrary, we found that more concealed carry permits issued in a given county are linked to a greater number of homicides in that county the following year.”

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AUGUST 2023 Identity, Experience, and Threat: Assessing Key Correlates of Firearm Ownership and Related Behaviors in a Representative Sample of Five US States

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial, experiential, and demographic correlates of firearm ownership, carrying, and storage methods. We used a representative survey of 3,510 people living in five US states (Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Texas) conducted in 2022. Individuals provided information on past experiences with firearms, perceptions of threat and neighborhood safety, discrimination, and tolerance of uncertainty alongside demographic items.

Read the full article here

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial, experiential, and demographic correlates of firearm ownership, carrying, and storage methods,” said Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and co-author of the study.

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SEPTEMBER 2023 Individual and Cumulative Firearm Violence Exposure: Implications for Sleep among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native Adults

OBJECTIVE A new study published in the Health Affairs Scholar surveyed 3,015 Black and 527 American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults between April and May of 2023 on how firearm-related violence has substantial implications in these populations. There is a need for more investment and training programs for firearm

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR “Communities of color bear the burden of gun violence in the United States. Our research shows that exposure to individual

violence prevention so that there can be improvements

types of firearm violence, like being shot, threatened with a

in the health and welfare of these communities,

mental and physical health among Black and AI/AN adults.

Read the full article here

gun, or losing a loved one to gun violence, is linked to poorer Being exposed to multiple types of gun violence is even more harmful to health. Reducing gun violence in the US is necessary to address widening health disparities and make sure that all Americans have the opportunity to live a healthy life,” says lead author Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal violence research of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center .

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SEPTEMBER 2023 The Purple Heart and Suicide risk in Post-9/11 U.S. Army Combat Veterans with a Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mixed Methods Study

OBJECTIVE Active service members and Veterans with a combatrelated traumatic brain injury (TBI) are four times more likely to attempt suicide than those without a TBI. TBIs are the signature injuries of the Post-9/11 conflicts and Combat Veterans (i.e., current and former service members who deployed in support of a combat mission) with these injuries are entitled to receive the Purple Heart medal.

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR “Risk for suicide increases when Post-9/11 Army Combat Veterans are not given or denied the Purple Heart by the Army, according to a Duquesne University study. Interviews from this mixed methods study described how the Purple Heart validates the uniquely invisible combat injury and serves as a conduit for receiving care and rehabilitation. ‘The Purple Heart

Read the full article here

was like an advocate for me, it gave me strength to speak up and fight for care—it made me know that I could ask for help.’ The study also found that perceived military institutional betrayal was associated with increased suicide risk. Most of the participants said that the Army demands loyalty but does not always reciprocate it,” said Jayna, Moceri-Brooks, doctoral fellow at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center.

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OCTOBER 2023 Reciprocal Neighborhood Dynamics in Gun Violence Exposure, Community Health, and Concentrated Disadvantage in One Hundred US Cities

OBJECTIVE Gun violence imparts a tremendous human and financial toll on local communities. Researchers have documented extensive mental and physical health consequences of generalized violence exposure but few studies have analyzed the particular impacts of gun violence on community well-being using nationally comprehensive data. We leverage a unique database of almost 16,000 neighborhoods in 100 US cities (2014–2019) to examine how year-over-year rates of gun violence correspond to overall neighborhood well-being and three aspects of community health: (1) health behaviors, (2) physical and mental health status, and (3) health prevention efforts.

Read the full article here

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR "Gun violence in local communities is linked to poorer collective health and greater concentrated disadvantage over time. Many of America's most disadvantaged neighborhoods are stuck in a vicious cycle of violence and collateral damage that is almost impossible to escape. Directly addressing gun violence can be a key means of reducing health inequalities where people are suffering the most," said lead author Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center.

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OCTOBER 2023 Regional Differences in Firearm Ownership, Storage and Use: Results from a Representative Survey of Five US states

Read the full article here

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR Americans have a Constitutional right to own firearms, but individuals in different states exercise that right and use their firearms very differently from one another depending on the community they are in,” said Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers. “Because of this, the risk for firearm injury and death varies widely from state to state.”

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OCTOBER 2023 Law Enforcement and Firearms: Understanding Firearm Ownership and Storage Habits

OBJECTIVE This study seeks to better understand firearm ownership among law enforcement officers (LEO), with the goal of informing future firearm injury and suicide prevention efforts. We describe the frequency

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR

and sociodemographic correlates of firearm ownership

“In our study, we found that not only are they experiencing

and storage practices among, and examine the

high rates of suicidal thoughts, but those who have had

association between suicidal ideation and current firearm storage practices.

suicidal thoughts are more likely to own firearms, and are often not engaging in secure storage. This is concerning because access to a firearm increases the risk for several types of firearm related injuries and death, including suicide;

Read the full article here

and this risk is even higher when a firearm is not stored securely. We need to work with law enforcement officers to determine ways to increase secure storage,” said Allison Bond, clinical psychology doctoral candidate with the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers and the lead author of the study.

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NOVEMBER 2023 Perceptions of the Utility of Secure Firearm Storage Methods as a Suicide Prevention Tool among Firearm Owners who Currently Store their Firearms Loaded and Unlocked

OBJECTIVE The researchers surveyed a representative sample of English-speaking adults from five states: New Jersey, Minnesota, Mississippi, Colorado, and Texas. These states were chosen because they vary widely from one another geographically, politically, and culturally

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR

and have broadly different firearm policies and rates

“The most common reason for owning a firearm is protection

of gun violence. The researchers then selected the

at home, so many firearm owners view their firearms as tools

firearm owners in their sample (n = 941) and examined whether those who typically store at least one firearm

to have on the ready in case of home invasion,” said lead author Michael Anestis, Executive Director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers. “If they are unaware

loaded and unlocked (23.6% of firearm owners) perceive

of the suicide prevention value of secure firearm storage

less value in specific firearm storage practices.

practices, it makes sense that they opt to have at least one

Read the full article here

problem is, staging a firearm so it is so quickly accessible

firearm in their home stored loaded and unlocked. The dramatically increases the risk for injury and death, so these perceptions are causing firearm owners to put themselves and their families in danger.”

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FEBRUARY 2024 Protect and Provide: Perceptions of Manhood and Masculinities Among Disabled Violently Injured Black Men in a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program

OBJECTIVE Exploring the post-injury lives of those who have survived gunshot wounds is essential to understanding the entire scope of firearm violence. The lives of Black male firearm violence survivors are transformed in various ways due to their injuries both visible and invisible. This study explored

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR

how Black men who suffer from disabilities via a firearm

“The self-identification as a ‘survivor’ versus ‘victim’

negotiated their masculine identities. Semi-structured,

following violent injury may have salient implications

qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 violently

for the mental health of Black men,” said Nazsa Baker,

injured Black men participating in a hospital-based

a postdoctoral fellow with the New Jersey Gun

violence intervention program. Survivors expressed their

Violence Research Center (GVRC). “ Internalizing a

thoughts on how their injuries impacted their manhood and masculinities. Three themes emerged: (1) perceptions of manhood, (2) loss of independence and burden on others, and (3) and mobility.

Read the full article here

victim identity could exacerbate trauma reactions, negative cognitions about self-worth and powerlessness, feelings of helplessness, and other symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.”

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FEBRUARY 2024 Gun Violence Exposure and Suicide Among Black Adults

OBJECTIVE Researchers surveyed 3,015 Black adults, 56 percent of whom were exposed to at least one type of gun violence and 12 percent who were exposed to at least three types. They found that being threatened with a gun or knowing someone who has been shot was associated with lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts. Being shot was associated with the individual at least once making preparations for suicide.

Read the full article here

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR “The recent increase in suicide rates among Black Americans calls for a deeper understanding of the underlying causes,” said Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal violence research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, based at Rutgers Health, which led the study. “It's crucial to explore how disproportionate exposure to high levels of gun violence may be impacting mental health and contributing to the elevated risk of suicide.”

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MARCH 2024 Firearm Access and Gun Violence Exposure in Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native Adults: Results From a Representative Cross-Sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE In this nationally representative survey study of 3542 American Indian or Alaska Native and Black US adults, a substantial percentage of both groups

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR

reported living in homes with firearms, storing

“Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native

firearms loaded and unlocked, frequently carrying firearms outside the home, and having been exposed directly and indirectly to gun violence.

communities have experienced heartbreaking levels of gun violence victimization, but research has told us very little about the extent to which individuals in these communities have access to firearms and how they interact with firearms in their daily lives,” said

Read the full article here

Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers and the lead author of the study. “If we want to address gun violence within these communities, we need to first understand the ways in which the individuals within the communities are engaging with firearms.”

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MARCH 2024 Determining whom Military Service Members Deem Credible to Discuss Firearm Safety for Suicide Prevention

OBJECTIVE To examine rankings of credible sources for discussing secure storage within a representative sample of firearm-owning service members, and examine how combinations of demographic variables impact the ranking of credible sources. of the least preferred

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR

sources. Firearm owning service members perceive law

“Many military service members do not engage in

enforcement officers, military members, and Veterans as

secure firearm storage, which may be contributing

the most credible sources to discuss firearm storage for

to the high rates of firearm suicide within this

suicide prevention. However, there were some

population,” said Allison Bond, clinical psychology

differences based on racial subgroups. It’s important to leverage the voices of those who are seen as credible.

Read the full article here

doctoral candidate with the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University and lead author of the study. “To help increase secure storage, messages should leverage credible sources like law enforcement officers. Our results show that there can’t be a one-size fits all approach to secure storage messaging, and we need to promote sources and voices that are credible to those from all racial backgrounds.”

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MARCH 2024 Self-Reported Likelihood of a Future Suicide Attempt: The Role of Plans for Suicide

OBJECTIVE The present study seeks to add to the existing literature by determining if having a plan for suicide, is associated with an individual’s self-reported likelihood of attempting suicide in the future.

Read the full article here

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR “Many military service members do not engage in secure firearm storage, which may be contributing to the high rates of firearm suicide within this population,” said Allison Bond, clinical psychology doctoral candidate with the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University and lead author of the study. “To help increase secure storage, messages should leverage credible sources like law enforcement officers. Our results show that there can’t be a one-size fits all approach to secure storage messaging, and we need to promote sources and voices that are credible to those from all racial backgrounds.”

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MARCH 2024 What's missing? Violently injured Black Men's Narratives around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to advance the understanding of ACEs among Black male firearm

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR

violence survivors using the ACEs questionnaire and

“The self-identification as a survivor versus victim

semi-structured interviews.

following violent injury may have salient

Read the full article here

implications for the mental health of Black men. Internalizing a victim identity could exacerbate trauma reactions, negative cognitions about selfworth and powerlessness, feelings of helplessness, and other symptoms of depression and PTSD,” said Nazsa, Baker, PhD, the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) postdoctoral fellow said,

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MARCH 2024 “I am a survivor!”: Violently Injured Black Men’s Perceptions of Labeling After a Violent Firearm Injury

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this Rutgers study was to understand how Black men in a hospital-based violence

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR

intervention program (HVIP) perceive survivor and

“The self-identification as a ‘survivor’ versus ‘victim’

victim labeling after experiencing a firearm-related

following violent injury may have salient implications

injury.

for the mental health of Black men,” said Nazsa Baker, a postdoctoral fellow with the New Jersey Gun

Read the full article here

Violence Research Center (GVRC). “Internalizing a victim identity could exacerbate trauma reactions, negative cognitions about self-worth and powerlessness, feelings of helplessness, and other symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.”

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MARCH 2024 Firearm Violence Exposure and Functional Disability among Black Men and Women in the United States

OBJECTIVE The main outcome variable measures four aspects of functional disability derived from the American Community Survey. We measured concentration with the question, “Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, do you have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?” Difficulty with walking/stairs was measured by asking, “Do you have serious difficulty in walking or climbing stairs?” We measured difficulty dressing/bathing with the question, “Do you have difficulty dressing or bathing?” and difficulty doing everyday tasks like running errands by asking, “Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, do you have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping?” All responses were binary (0 = no; 1 = yes). These four items were treated as discrete outcome measures and also added up to create a variety scale of total disability (range 0–4).

Read the full article here

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR “Traditionally, the majority of efforts related to gun violence have focused on reducing homicides, but this study indicates that we need to provide more support to those who face such exposures to violence beyond homicide,” said Daniel Semenza, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Gun Violence Research Center and lead author of the study.

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MARCH 2024 Firearm Access and Gun Violence Exposure in Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native Adults: Results From a Representative Cross-Sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE In this nationally representative survey study of 3,542 American Indian or Alaska Native and Black US adults, a substantial percentage of both groups reported living in homes with firearms, storing firearms loaded and unlocked, frequently carrying firearms outside the home, and having been exposed directly and indirectly to gun violence.

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR “Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native communities have experienced heartbreaking levels of gun violence victimization, but research has told us very little about the extent to which individuals in these communities have access to firearms and how they interact with firearms in their daily lives,” said Michael Anestis,

Read the full article here

executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers and the lead author of the study. “If we want to address gun violence within these communities, we need to first understand the ways in which the individuals within the communities are engaging with firearms.”

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MAY 2024 Physical Intimate Partner Violence and Emotional Harm in Five U.S. States

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between physical intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and four related aspects of emotional wellbeing: threat sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, impulse control, and access to resources for emotional regulation. We draw on a transactional model of IPV and emotional regulation to theorize how invalidation and partner threats in relationships can generate harmful emotional outcomes.

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR “The findings underscore the importance of mental health screenings that extend beyond assessments of diagnostic-level functions and allocating resources toward alleviating other clinically relevant factors that might arise from or even prompt additional exposure

Read the full article here

to physical IPV,” said lead author Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center.

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JUNE 2024 Female Military Service Members and Veterans: Understanding Treatment Seeking Behavior and Previous Suicide Risk Among Suicide Decedents

OBJECTIVE To examine the differences in treatment seeking behaviors, previous suicidal thoughts, previous suicide attempts, and disclosure of suicidal thoughts among female service members (SM)/Veteran suicide

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR

decedents who used a firearm and those who used

“This study examiend the differences in treatment

another method. Data was acquired from the National Violent Death Reporting System which is maintained and monitored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read the full article here

seeking and previous suicidality among female Veterans who died by suicide with a firearm compared to another method,” said Allison Bond, clinical psychology doctoral candidate with the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University and lead author of the study. “Female Veteran firearm suicide decedents were less likely to have mental health treatment and had lower proportions of past suicide attempts, suggesting they are not being seen in mental health settings and are more likely to die on a first attempt.”

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JUNE 2024 US Residents’ Recognition of Proper Use of Firearm Cable Locks

OBJECTIVE This survey study examines the ability of firearm owners and nonowners to determine correct and incorrect cable lock use across different types of firearms. This survey study examined individuals’ ability to accurately identify correct and incorrect cable lock installation across 4 types of firearms. The finding that individuals more accurately identified incorrect and correct lock use suggests that knowledge gaps may prompt incorrect lock use or avoidance of locks. Future efforts to

QUOTE FROM LEAD AUTHOR “Our results indicated gaps in owners’ (67.0%) and nonowners’ (28.5%) ability to determine correct lock use. Smaller knowledge gaps between groups were found when identifying incorrect lock use (93.4% and

distribute cable locks must include education on

94.7%, respectively),” lead author Shelby Bandel,

proper use.

clinical psychology doctoral candidate with the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers

Read the full article here

University and lead author of the study.

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ADDITIONAL PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

JULY 2023 Buck-Atkinson, J., McCarthy, M., Stanley, I.H., Harnke, B., Anestis, M.D., Bryan, C.J., Baker, J.C., & Betz, M.E. (2023). Firearm locking device preferences among firearm owners in the United States: A systematic review.Injury Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-023-00436-7

NOVEMBER 2023 Villarreal, R.I., Stanley, I.H., Anestis, M.D., Buck-Atkinson, J., & Betz, M.E. (2023). Older adults’ considerations regarding firearm locking device use: Results of a national survey. Clinical Gerontologist. DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2023.2285994

DECEMBER 2023 Betz, M.E., Meza, K., Friedman, K., Moceri-Brooks, J., Johnson, M.L., Simonetti, J., Baker, J.C., Bryan, C.J., & Anestis, M.D. (2024). “Whether it’s your weapon or not, it’s your home”: Military spouse perspectives on personal firearm storage. BMJ Military Health. DOI: 10.1136/military-2023-002591

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ADDITIONAL PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

FEBRUARY 2024 Kennedy, S.R., Buck-Atkinson, J., Moceri-Brooks, J., Johnson, M.L., Anestis, M.D., Carrington, M., Baker, J.C., Fisher, M.E., Nease, D.E., Bryan, A.O., Bryan, C.J., & Betz, M.E. (2024). Military community engagement to prevent firearm-related violence: Adaptation of Project Safe Guard for Service Members. Injury Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-024Stanley, I.H., Anestis, M.D., Bryan, C.J., Moceri-Brooks, J., Baker, J.C., Buck-Atkinson, J., Bryan, A.O., Johnson, M., Hunter, K., Johnson R.L., Xiao, M., & Betz, M.E. (2024). Project Safe Guard: Challenges and opportunities of a universal rollout of peer-delivered lethal means counseling at a US military installation. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.13050

MARCH 2024 Bond, A. E., Houtsma, C., Bryan, C. J., & Anestis, M. D. (2024). Self-Reported Likelihood of a Future Suicide Attempt: The Role of Plans for Suicide. Archives of Suicide Research, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2024.2332249

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ADDITIONAL PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

APRIL 2024 Bond, A.E., Karnick, A.T., Capron, D.W., & Anestis, M.D. (2023). Predicting potential underreporting of firearm ownership in a nationally representative sample. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02515-y

MAY 2024 Bock, J.E., Daruwala, S.E., Tucker, R.P., Foster, S.D., Bandel, S.L., Gunn, J.F., & Anestis, M.D. (2024). Honor endorsement and increased firearm purchasing behavior and intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological Reports. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941241255323

MAY 2024 Stanley I.H., Bryan, C.J., Bryan, A.O., Capron, D.W., & Anestis, M.D. (2023). Lethal means safety counseling among firearm-owning US National Guard personnel: Hyperarousal symptoms as a moderator of treatment outcomes. Psychological Services. DOI: 10.1037/ser0000763

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GRANT AWARDEES

FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS I Sub-Awards - Single Year Grants

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INTERSTATE GUN FLOW IN THE CONNECTED STATES OF AMERICA AMOUNT AWARDED: $161,167.00

Christopher Morrison is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Abstract: Gun crimes, including interpersonal gun violence, are a significant public health and criminal justice problem in the United States (US). This proposal examines the sources of guns used in crimes and considers the way they are transported around the US to affect gun violence in local areas. Illegal interstate gun flow has critical implications for preventive intervention. Efforts to reduce access to guns and subsequent gun crimes can be separated into demand-side strategies that reduce individuals’ willingness to acquire and use guns in crimes, and supply-side strategies that reduce access to guns to individuals who may potentially perpetrate gun crimes. Comprehensive efforts to reduce gun crime include a balance of both strategies. Cities, counties, and states dedicate substantial resources to reducing gun crime locally; however, these jurisdictions are connected to each other geographically, and preventive interventions implemented locally can be affected substantially by gun policies in other locations. Critically, there are approximately 400 million civilian-held guns in this country, equating to more than one gun per person. In particular, gun crime in the state of New Jersey is heavily affected by the in-flow of guns from other states because it has relatively restrictive gun laws, it is near to states with strong gun laws, and it is located on Interstate 95, which is a known corridor for trafficking guns. The goal of this research is to examine the flow of guns between US states and identify opportunities to reduce illegal interstate transfers of guns used in crimes in New Jersey and nationally. We have compiled detailed space-time data from multiple publicly available sources for 2010-2021, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Firearms Trace Data; roadway network, demographic characteristics, and interstate migration data from the US Census Bureau; freight flows from the US Department of Transportation; gun laws from the Boston University State Firearm Laws Database; inspection reports for Federal Firearms License (FFL) retail outlets; and gun thefts from National Incidence Based Reporting System (NIBRS). We will use cutting edge spatial epidemiologic and geographic network analyses to investigate how guns flow from legal to illegal commerce, with a focus on the in-flow of guns to New Jersey. This study will look at the following aims: Aim 1. To describe the flow of guns used in crimes around US states; Aim 2. To assess associations between gun laws in other US states and the in-flow of guns used in crimes to New Jersey; Aim 3. To examine contributors to the flow of guns around US states. Current Status: Findings from our first analysis indicate that guns flow along the US highway system, undermining local supply reduction efforts. We interpret these results as evidence that intervention to reduce the flow of guns around US states must involve coordinated multistate efforts with federal support.

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EMPOWERING COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO BECOME CO-PRODUCERS OF PUBLIC SAFETY: DEVELOPING A GUN VIOLENCE CRIME PREVENTION EFFORT IN THE CITY OF NEWARK AMOUNT AWARDED: $196,298.00

Alejandro Gimenez Santana, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Newark Public Safety Collaborative, Rutgers School of Criminal Justice

Abstract: The proposed study seeks to develop a community-based participatory-action research effort to prevent and reduce gun violence in the City of Newark. Incidents of gun violence have recently concentrated in Newark's South and West Wards. According to year-to-date incidentlevel data for homicides, the number of gun violence-related homicides (approximately 80% of the total) has increased by 53% compared to last year. The Newark Public Safety Collaborative (NPSC), a Rutgers-Newark School of Criminal Justice Anchor Initiative, has a well-established partnership with over forty community-based organizations, some of which are serving the geographic areas most affected by gun violence (e.g., the Newark Community Street Team, the Brick City Peace Collective, and the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery). This proposal aims to develop a comprehensive participatory-action research effort to: 1. Identify problem places that attract and/or generate gun violence. 2. Engage local CBOs in a collaborative effort to mobilize community resources in hyperlocal areas most affected by gun violence. 3. Democratize access to data and analytics to empower community organizations to become coproducers of community safety. Current Status: NPSC’s data analyses have identified locations near a subset of public housing units, abandoned properties, gas stations, bodegas, and schools, as areas with increased levels of gun violence victimization. These findings were shared with other community organizations in various settings across Newark to expand co-production efforts further. The NPSC has also joined its partners in various community walks in other areas experiencing increased levels of gun violence, such as the southern section of the Lincoln Park neighborhood. In recent years, Newark has received an influx of new migrants from Latin America, many of which don’t speak English. Police reports suggest that offenders increasingly target migrant workers in two hot spots for violent crime. To expand access to co-production efforts, the NPSC is partnering with My Brother’s Keeper and the City of Newark in a program that will launch data-informed community engagement meetings in Spanish and Portuguese language during the Summer of 2024.

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GEOLOGICAL MEDIATORS AND MODERATORS IN NORMCHANGE MODELS OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION AMOUNT AWARDED: $69,702.00

PI: Kwan-Lamar Blount-Hill, JD, PhD; Assistant Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Affiliated Faculty, Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety Program Lead for Justice and Equity in Conservation, Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, Arizona State University Co-I: Michelle Lyttle Storrod, PhD, Assistant Professor, Wider University

Co-I: Jay Szkola, Independent Researcher

Abstract: Evaluations of community-based violence intervention and prevention (CVI) programs almost exclusively examine violence as an outcome of the correlational relationship between an intervention (independent predictor variable) and incidents of violence (dependent variable). As the former increases (in dosage, or moves, dichotomously, from absence (0) to presence (1), the latter is expected to decrease. Presumably, exogenous factors are simply controlled for, statistically isolated, and considered separable from the main relationship. Instead, we expect the neighborhood- and jurisdiction-level social, political, and ideological contexts in which a program operates to moderate the relationship between its activities and subsequent incidents of violence. If this is so, then the “true” impact of a program’s activity, as experienced by those it serves, cannot be accurately assessed by any research design that either assumes contextual insignificance or uses statistical techniques to isolate the relationship between intervention and violence. Since no programs operate in contextual isolation – but, instead, always within multiple layers of social, political, and ideological context, a CVI’s outcomes, as observed and experienced by its constituents, will be the result of its activities as moderated by the social ecologies in which they take place. This should be as true in Southern New Jersey, and in Philadelphia and Chester, Pennsylvania, as it is anywhere. We propose a set of baseline studies of CVIs in Philadelphia and Chester, to complement and compare with work being undertaken in Southern New Jersey, all to quantify factors within a program’s social ecology expected to influence its predictor-outcome relationships. More specifically, we propose to (1) measure “baseline” attitudes towards violence held by residents at heightened risk of violence or violent victimizations in Philadelphia and Chester, (2) conceptualize, operationalize, and measure “baseline” social-ecological support at neighborhood- and city-jurisdictional-levels in Philadelphia and Chester, and (3) align, analyze, and compare the resulting data with data from a complementary study in Southern New Jersey. We are coordinating with the principal investigator of the New Jersey effort to ensure the suitability of each for collaborative analyses. Current Status: We have now invested substantial time engaged in familiarization with the social ecologies in which our CVIs of interest – Philadelphia and Chester CeaseFire – are embedded. We have also put significant efforts into instrument redesigned following our initial field visits. At present, we have redrafted interview and survey instruments, and we should have finalized our instruments by the end of the coming month, and we anticipate the start of survey data collection by April.

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GRANT AWARDEES

FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS II Sub-Awards - Multi- Year Grants

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PERMITLESS CARRY LEGISLATION AND POLICE OFFICER FIREARM INJURY IN THE UNITED STATES AMOUNT AWARDED: $53,903.00

PI: Michael Sierra-Arevalo, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin

Co-I: Stuart Craig, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Abstract: Gun crimes, including interpersonal gun violence, are a significant public health and criminal justice problem in the United States (US). This proposal examines the sources of guns used in crimes and considers the way they are transported around the US to affect gun violence in local areas. Illegal interstate gun flow has critical implications for preventive intervention. Efforts to reduce access to guns and subsequent gun crimes can be separated into demand-side strategies that reduce individuals’ willingness to acquire and use guns in crimes, and supply-side strategies that reduce access to guns to individuals who may potentially perpetrate gun crimes. Comprehensive efforts to reduce gun crime include a balance of both strategies. Cities, counties, and states dedicate substantial resources to reducing gun crime locally; however, these jurisdictions are connected to each other geographically, and preventive interventions implemented locally can be affected substantially by gun policies in other locations. Critically, there are approximately 400 million civilian-held guns in this country, equating to more than one gun per person. In particular, gun crime in the state of New Jersey is heavily affected by in-flow of guns from other states because it has relatively restrictive gun laws, it is near to states with strong gun laws, and it is located on Interstate 95 which is a known corridor for trafficking guns. The goal of this research is to examine the flow of guns between US states and identify opportunities to reduce illegal interstate transfers of guns used in crimes in New Jersey and nationally. We have compiled detailed space-time data from multiple publicly available sources for 2010-2021, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Firearms Trace Data; roadway network, demographic characteristics, and interstate migration data from the US Census Bureau; freight flows from the US Department of Transportation; gun laws from the Boston University State Firearm Laws Database; inspection reports for Federal Firearms License (FFL) retail outlets; and gun thefts from National Incidence Based Reporting System (NIBRS). We will use cutting edge spatial epidemiologic and geographic network analyses to investigate how guns flow from legal to illegal commerce, with a focus on the in-flow of guns to New Jersey. This study will look at the following aims:Aim 1. To describe the flow of guns used in crimes around US states; Aim 2. To assess associations between gun laws in other US states and the in-flow of guns used in crimes to New Jersey; Aim 3. To examine contributors to the flow of guns around US states . Current Status: Findings from our first analysis indicate that guns flow along the US highway system, undermining local supply reduction efforts. We interpret these results as evidence that intervention to reduce the flow of guns around US states must involve coordinated multistate efforts with federal support.

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IMPACT OF ONLINE GUN VIOLENCE EXPOSURE ON SLEEP AND SUICIDE RISK AMONG NEW JERSEY TEENS AMOUNT AWARDED: $194,744.00

PI: Jessica L. Hamilton, PhD; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology Rutgers University

Co-I: Linda Oshin, PhD; Assistant Professor, Clinical Psychology Department

Co-I: Evan Kleiman, Ph.D; Assistant Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University Research Associate, Department of Psychology

Abstract: Gun crimes, including interpersonal gun violence, are a significant public health and criminal justice problem in the United States (US). This proposal examines the sources of guns used in crimes and considers the way they are transported around the US to affect gun violence in local areas. Illegal interstate gun flow has critical implications for preventive intervention. Efforts to reduce access to guns and subsequent gun crimes can be separated into demand-side strategies that reduce individuals’ willingness to acquire and use guns in crimes, and supply-side strategies that reduce access to guns to individuals who may potentially perpetrate gun crimes. Comprehensive efforts to reduce gun crime include a balance of both strategies. Cities, counties, and states dedicate substantial resources to reducing gun crime locally; however, these jurisdictions are connected to each other geographically, and preventive interventions implemented locally can be affected substantially by gun policies in other locations. Critically, there are approximately 400 million civilian-held guns in this country, equating to more than one gun per person. In particular, gun crime in the state of New Jersey is heavily affected by in-flow of guns from other states because it has relatively restrictive gun laws, it is near to states with strong gun laws, and it is located on Interstate 95 which is a known corridor for trafficking guns. The goal of this research is to examine the flow of guns between US states and identify opportunities to reduce illegal interstate transfers of guns used in crimes in New Jersey and nationally. We have compiled detailed space-time data from multiple publicly available sources for 2010-2021, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Firearms Trace Data; roadway network, demographic characteristics, and interstate migration data from the US Census Bureau; freight flows from the US Department of Transportation; gun laws from the Boston University State Firearm Laws Database; inspection reports for Federal Firearms License (FFL) retail outlets; and gun thefts from National Incidence Based Reporting System (NIBRS). We will use cutting edge spatial epidemiologic and geographic network analyses to investigate how guns flow from legal to illegal commerce, with a focus on the in-flow of guns to New Jersey. This study will look at the following aims:Aim 1. To describe the flow of guns used in crimes around US states; Aim 2. To assess associations between gun laws in other US states and the in-flow of guns used in crimes to New Jersey; Aim 3. To examine contributors to the flow of guns around US states. Current Status: Findings from our first analysis indicate that guns flow along the US highway system, undermining local supply reduction efforts. We interpret these results as evidence that intervention to reduce the flow of guns around US states must involve coordinated multistate efforts with federal support.

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EXAMINING CHARACTERISTICS AND EXPERIENCES OF LGBTQ FIREARM OWNERS AMOUNT AWARDED: $47,700.00

PI: Chris Collins, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work; Research Affiliate, Maura’s Voice Research Fund, Salem State University Co-I: Elizabeth Tomsich, PhD, Research Data Analyst, Violence Prevention Research Program University of California Davis Health

Abstract: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) people represent a unique group of firearm owners that little is known about. Limited extant work provides some information on LGBTQ firearm and household ownership rates in state and national samples, which tend to be lower than those observed in non-LGBTQ and general populations. Interviews with LGBTQ firearm owners highlight the dissonance experienced by owners between the perceived pro-gun control discourse of mainstream LGBTQ movement and their status as owners. While prior work provides information on the motivations to acquire firearms and firearm behaviors among LGBTQ owners, to our knowledge, additional questions on how culturally specific factors relate to acquisition and firearm behaviors among LGBTQ people remain unexplored. Yet, LGBTQ people experience a unique constellation of risks, such as disproportionate victimization by violence and hate crime, structural violence, and suicidality, which may relate to ownership, motivations to acquire, and firearm behaviors. This study aims to contribute to the literature by characterizing the population of LGBTQ owners and non-owners and examining factors related to ownership, including those previously unexplored, such as the experiences and consequences of marginalization.

Current Status: Final IPSOS contract was approved, and data collection closed on May 14th. Preliminary analysis is underway.

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RESEARCH PROJECTS

EXTERNALLY FUNDED PROJECTS GVRC has secured several external grants from various organizations. These grants enable the GVRC to explore critical issues, develop innovative solutions, and collaborate with other institutions and communities to address gun violence effectively.

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STATES ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQUISITION ACTIVITY AUGMENTING SUICIDE PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS (ASPIS) AMOUNT AWARDED: $8,685,072 FUNDED BY: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY – UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQUISITION ACTIVITY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: CRAIG BRYAN, PSYD, ABPP CO-INVESTIGATOR: MICHAEL ANESTIS, PHD In this active grant, a suicide research center located at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center leads a team of researchers on projects examining interventions to prevent suicide among service members. The GVRC will held lead one such project, leveraging Project Safe Guard, a lethal means counseling intervention first tested by the GVRC (Anestis et al., 2021; American Journal of Public Health). Dr. Anestis was subcontracted by Ohio State University, with was sponsored by the Department of Defense. The Augmenting Suicide Prevention Interventions for Servicemembers (ASPIS) collaboration proposes to address this overarching challenge by conducting five synergistic studies guided by a common, overarching question: What strategies, delivered how, by whom, and under which circumstances, are most effective for whom? ASPIS directly address multiple areas of encouragement within the Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program. Dr. Anestis has helped lead a study examining whether supplementing an online version of Project Safe Guard with an intervention focused on decreasing intolerance of uncertainty will improve treatment outcomes among servicemembers who are particularly sensitive to threat and resistant to secure firearm storage.

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PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENTS: MILITARY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO PREVENT FIREARM-RELATED VIOLENCE (PROTECT: PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP AND ELEVATING COMMUNITY TOGETHERNESS)

AMOUNT AWARDED: $1,480,199 FUNDED BY: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE – MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE CONSORTIUM PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: EMMY BETZ, MD, MPH CO-INVESTIGATOR: MICHAEL ANESTIS, PHD In this multi-year grant, a team of researchers including the GVRC, is utilizing community based participatory research methods to adapt Project Safe Guard, a lethal means counseling intervention first tested by the GVRC (Anestis et al., 2021; American Journal of Public Health). GVRC Executive Director Michael Anestis, PhD Co-led a study with the University of Colorado, funded by the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) to train personnel at Buckley Space Force Base to administer Project Safe Guard, a lethal means counseling intervention, to servicemembers. The project aims to promote secure firearm storage among active-duty military personnel. This is the final year of this three-year study which utilized community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods, to adapt Project Safe Guard by: (a) tailoring to all active component populations (rather than only firearm-owning National Guard); (b) expanding focus to range of violent or harmful behaviors (rather than only suicide) and to peers (rather than only self); and (c) utilizing “real-world” delivery by military personnel (e.g., unit leaders) as part of standard procedures, rather than by research psychologists as part of a study.

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PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENTS: MILITARY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO PREVENT FIREARM-RELATED VIOLENCE

AMOUNT AWARDED: $678,030 FUNDED BY: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: EMMY BETZ, MD, MPH CO-INVESTIGATOR: MICHAEL ANESTIS, PHD

In this grant, a team of researchers including the GVRC will engage in three tasks to better understand the firearm storage preferences of service members. The first task is a systematic review of the research literature to examine extant data on preferences for specific storage approaches (e.g. cable locks, gun safes). The second task is a survey of a nationally representative sample that will directly assess not only storage preferences, but also obstacles to using specific approaches and situations in which preferences may change (e.g. cost reductions).

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EXPANDING A MULTI-LEVEL, LONGITUDINAL DATABASE TO ASSESS ECOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS IN COMMUNITY VIOLENCE

AMOUNT AWARDED: $277,201 FUNDED BY: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS: LAW & SCIENCE PROGRAM PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: DANIEL SEMENZA, PHD CO-INVESTIGATOR: RICHARD STANFIELD, PHD

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GVRC

EVENTS The GVRC hosted events to engage with the public, share research findings, and foster dialogue on gun violence prevention. These events are designed to be inclusive, informative, and interactive, offering a space for community members, researchers, and local and state leaders to connect and collaborate.

COMMUNITY DAY OF DIALOGUE OCTOBER 20, 2023 This year, the NJ Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) organized a special event to encourage dialogue and understanding within the community around gun violence prevention in New Jersey. The event brought together 120 attendees, including high school students, researchers, and representatives from various community organizations, creating a unique opportunity for intergenerational and interdisciplinary exchange. Keynote Speaker: Al-Tariq Best, CEO/Founder of The HUBB Arts & Trauma Center in Newark, opened the day by emphasizing the importance of community resilience, creative expression, and trauma-informed approaches in addressing gun violence. Breakout Sessions: In the afternoon, attendees had the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions, each focused on a specific topic related to community gun violence. These sessions allowed for deeper discussions among peers and provided a platform for participants to discuss the issues and talk about solutions to community violence. Topics included: Firearm Policies Gun Violence on Social Media and Teen Mental Health Guns and Domestic Violence Mass Shootings Event Impact: This event successfully created a supportive environment where participants could share their experiences, learn from one another, and discuss potential solutions to the pressing issue of gun violence. By facilitating these conversations, the GVRC reinforced its role as a bridge between research and community action, helping to empower individuals and organizations to make meaningful changes in communities in New Jersey.

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PROJECT SAFE GUARD OCTOBER 18, 2023

Lethal means counseling (LMC), which is an intervention where a clinician works with an individual to help them adopt ways of limiting access to potential methods for suicide. It does not have to be specifically focused on firearms, but this project was because firearms account for 51% of US suicides and around 2/3 of all military suicides. The goal of the training is to recruit firearm-owning service members outside of the healthcare system – so maybe they’re feeling suicidal, but probably not – and get them to plan ahead and work to store their firearms more safely.

Part of the training involves educating individuals and their families about the risks associated with firearm access and suicide, particularly how the presence of a firearm in the home can significantly increase the likelihood of a fatal outcome.

Lethal Means Counseling through Project SafeGuard plays a critical role in suicide prevention by reducing access to the most lethal means of suicide. By focusing on firearms, the program addresses a key factor in many suicides, particularly within the military community, and empowers individuals to take proactive steps toward safety. The program also raises awareness about the importance of secure firearm practices, contributing to broader efforts to prevent suicide.

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ILLICIT BLACK FIREARM OWNERSHIP BRIEFING JANUARY 23, 2024 The Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC), in collaboration with the Newark Community Street Team, hosted a pivotal event to share the findings of last year’s funded project titled Illicit Black Firearm Ownership in Newark. This event was a critical platform for discussing the research outcomes and underscoring the importance of culturally competent, community-based participatory research in addressing sensitive issues like firearm ownership. Event Highlights: Research Findings: The event centered on disseminating the key results from the GVRC's study on illicit firearm ownership in Newark. The research provided important insights into the factors driving illicit gun possession within the community and highlighted the lived experiences of those affected. Cultural Competency: A significant portion of the event focused on the role of cultural competency in conducting sensitive research. Presenters emphasized how understanding and respecting the cultural contexts of the community were essential for gathering accurate data and promoting trust between researchers and participants. Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR): The event also highlighted the value of CBPR, a research approach that actively involves community members in the research process. By engaging the Newark community directly, the GVRC ensured that the research was not only relevant but respectful and reflective of the community's perspectives. The GVRC is committed to conducting research that is both academically rigorous and deeply connected to the communities. The partnership with the Newark Community Street Team is an integral part of the project's success, showcasing the power of collaboration in tackling complex social issues like gun violence.

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RUTGERS GIVING DAY MARCH 21, 2024 During the annual #RUGivingDays campaign, the Rutgers community came together to fuel the engine of research and amplify academic excellence across the university. This year, the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) successfully raised $5,635 thanks to the generous contributions of supporters dedicated to combating firearm violence through research.

The funds raised during this campaign will directly strengthen the NJGVRC’s research efforts, enabling the center to continue its critical work in understanding and preventing gun violence. This financial support will help expand ongoing studies, initiate new projects, and foster collaborations that drive impactful change.

This support not only helps the center’s academic pursuits but also reinforces the importance of community engagement and collective action in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time.

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GVRC STUDENT DAY

APRIL 19, 2024

This year's Student Day focused on highlighting research conducted by the GVRC doctoral students. The event was an in-person event that brought together members of the Rutgers community to learn from the next generation of scholars dedicated to gun violence research. Presenters: Jordan Costa Allison Bond Devon Ziminski Shelby Bandel Taylor Rodriguez Brielle Savage Each of these doctoral students presented the research findings of their work in addressing various aspects of gun violence. Their presentations provided valuable insights into the latest developments in the field, reflecting the rigorous academic environment facilitated by the GVRC. Event Highlights: In-Person Engagement: The event offered a unique opportunity for the Rutgers community to engage directly with the researchers, ask questions, and discuss the implications of their findings. Focus on Student Research: By highlighting the work of doctoral students, the event nurtured our young researchers and advanced innovative approaches to gun violence prevention research.

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RUTGERS DAY APRIL 27, 2024 The GVRC participated in the annual Rutgers Day event. This event, which is open to the entire community, serves as a vital platform for fostering dialogue, increasing awareness, and sharing valuable insights on firearm violence prevention research. Key Activities: GVRC Research Discussions: The GVRC team engaged with community members by discussing ongoing research projects, answering questions related to gun violence, and offering insights based on their latest findings. Interactive Trivia Games: Attendees participated in trivia games designed to test and expand their knowledge of gun-related issues, with questions based on GVRC research. These games provided an educational yet fun way to engage with critical topics. Prizes and Giveaways: Participants had the chance to win prizes through various activities. Notably, the GVRC successfully distributed over 100 cable locks to local firearm owners as part of their safety initiative. Additionally, one lucky firearm owner won a raffle for a free biometric gun safe, underscoring the center's commitment to promoting responsible gun ownership. Community Impact: The event was a significant step in the GVRC's ongoing efforts to increase community knowledge about gun violence and the center's research. It provided a welcoming environment for the public to learn, ask questions, and connect with the GVRC team, helping to build stronger, safer communities. The GVRC remains dedicated to engaging with the community, offering resources, and enhancing public understanding of gun violence prevention.

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GVRC RESEARCH DAY MAY 21, 2024 The annual virtual conference, hosted by the Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC), provided a comprehensive showcase of the groundbreaking research funded by the center. This event served as a platform for GVRC leadership, community partners, and sub-award recipients to present their findings and discuss the impact of their work. This year, there were 900 registered attendees, reflecting the growing interest and commitment to gun violence research and prevention.

Keynote Speakers: Dr. Tanya L. Sharpe: Community Mental Health Director, BulletPoints Project Associate Clinical Professor, emphasized the need for community-centric approaches to addressing gun violence, focusing on the intersection of mental health and community resilience. Dr. Amy Barnhorst: Vice of Community Mental Health Director, BulletPoints Project Associate Clinical Professor, shared her expertise on mental health's role in gun violence prevention and the critical importance of integrating mental health strategies into community-based interventions.

Access to Content: For those who missed the live event, the full virtual conference is available for viewing on our YouTube page: NJ Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers. The conference continues to be a vital forum for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and driving the conversation on gun violence prevention forward.

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GVRC SUMMIT

JUNE 4, 2024 This year marked its second annual Gun Violence Research Summit. The Summit fostered relations and discussion between researchers, community members, and policymakers. These conversations encouraged a dialogue that led to actionable strategies for gun violence prevention in New Jersey. Keynote Speakers: 1. Matt Platkin: Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, shared insights on legal frameworks and state-level strategies to combat gun violence. 2. Patricia Teffenhart: Executive Director of the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, discussed the importance of victim support and intervention programs. 3. Jesenia Pizarro: Professor at Arizona State University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, presented her research on gun violence trends and prevention strategies. 4. Claire Houtsma: Clinician Investigator and Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, focused on the intersection of mental health and gun violence, particularly in veteran communities.

Attendance: 150 state, local, and community members attended this year's Summit, reflecting a strong commitment to addressing gun violence through interdisciplinary collaboration. The event successfully brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches, share research findings, and develop policies aimed at reducing gun violence. The exchange of ideas and experiences at the Summit is expected to lead to meaningful collaborations and impactful actions in the fight against gun violence.

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GVRC

IN THE NEWS GVRC in the News, Media, and Conferences to raise awareness about its critical research on the GVRC gun violence research and prevention.

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JULY

New Survey on Red Flag Laws, License Requirements shows Holes in PA. Gun Control Legislation, advocates say Click here

Researchers surveyed just over 3,000 people, including 1,000 gun owners, about their opinions on laws related to safe gun storage, extreme risk protection orders, licensing requirements, concealed carry permits and other policies. About one quarter were Republicans, 36% were Democrats and 38% were independent voters. Surveys like this one are important because they capture an accurate picture of where people stand and in turn inform policymakers, said Daniel Semenza, assistant professor and director of interpersonal violence research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University Camden.

JULY

Making a Difference: Addressing Gun Violence

Click here

“We need to make a distinction, so when people talk about gun violence its constituent parts and when we talk about suicide that represents , on a given year, two-thirds of the gun deaths in the country,” said Daniel Semenza, assistant professor and director of interpersonal violence research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University Camden. “Urban gun violence is very different, people also call it Community gun violence that typically happen on often a day-to-day basis in a lot in cities particularly disadvantage neighborhoods.”

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JULY

Gun Ownership in US May be Undercounted

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“It might be that some folks own firearms illicitly and they don’t feel comfortable really telling anybody that they own firearms,” said Allison Bond, a doctoral student at Rutgers University and the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, who led the study. “It may also be that there’s a distrust between the researchers that are conducting research and the firearm-owning community really speaking to the need for cross-discipline efforts to reduce firearm injury and death.”

JULY

How Many People in NJ are Lying about owning a Gun? Click here

In the published study, researchers found that there may be a good number of people who are falsely denying that they own a gun. And, according to lead author Allison Bond, this group doesn't only include what many people may view as the typical American firearm owner: white males. Based on respondents' answers to survey questions, researchers have surmised that other groups — women, people of color, and those living in urban communities — are not being truthful about owning a firearm.

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AUGUST

Add a Study: Link Between Concealed Carry Weapons and Gun Homicide Rates As the right to carry expands in several states, researchers note acute safety risks with the expansion of legal firearm ownership Click here

“This study takes a close look at the back-and-forth relationship between concealed carry licensing and homicides over a relatively long period of time,” said Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal research of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and co-author of the study. “We found no evidence that homicides are reduced where there are more concealed carry licenses,” said Semenza. “On the contrary, we found that more concealed carry permits issued in a given county are linked to a greater number of homicides in that county the following year.”

AUGUST

Click here

In a paper published in JAMA Psychiatry, Dr. Anestis and his colleagues found that those who purchased a firearm for the first time during the surge were at a higher risk of having experienced suicidal thoughts. “If firearms are more likely to be in homes where suicidal thoughts recur, then as the years go by you’re more likely to have that sort of confluence of wanting to die and having ready access to — by far — the most lethal method for suicide,” Dr. Anestis said.

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AUGUST

Gun Ownership Linked to Higher Suicide Risk Click here

“The data shows that if there is a firearm in the home the risk for suicide for everyone in the home, not just the firearm owner, goes up three to five times, so the presences of a firearm increases the risk dramatically,” said Mike Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center. “ I suggest two things: store your firearm securely and locked up in a separate location from ammunition ... and if someone at home is going through a difficult time, find a place to secure your firearm safely and legally outside your home whether that’s a gun safe pr trigger lock or cable lock.”

SEPTEMBER

A veteran started a gun shop. When a struggling soldier asked him to store his firearms, he started saving lives. Click here

Suicide prevention experts know people in crisis who don't have easy access to a gun will not likely find another way to kill themselves. Suicide prevention expert Mike Anestis, Executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and a professor at Rutgers University, said no other methods are as "close to as lethal as firearms for a suicide death." Around 90 to 95% of suicide attempts with a firearm will result in death while less than 5% of all other attempts will result in death, he said. In a country that already has an estimated 400 million guns in circulation the solution just can't be about banning firearms or stopping people from buying them, said Anestis.

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OCTOBER

Firearm Exposure Associated with poorer Health in Communities Around the US

Click here "Many of America's most disadvantaged neighborhoods are stuck in a vicious cycle of violence and collateral damage that is almost impossible to escape," said lead author Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and assistant professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health and in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice at Rutgers University-Camden.

OCTOBER

High Levels of Disadvantage Affect Ability Amongst Younger People

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Boen co-authored a new study, led by Daniel Semenza and published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, that further explores the connection between health, particularly functional disability, and concentrated disadvantage—which combines many factors including: the percentage of families living below the poverty line; the percentage of the population that is unemployed; and the percentage of female-headed households. “These three measures are often aligned with one another, and together they tend to predict negative community outcomes related to health, crime, and social disinvestment,” Semenza said.

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OCTOBER

Police Often Have Unlocked Guns at Home, Raising Suicide Risk Click here

“If law enforcement officers experiencing suicidal thoughts are more likely to have quick access to an unsecured firearm, there is a greater risk that, in their worst moment, they will reach for and use by far the most lethal method for suicide,” said senior study author Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center. “We do not always know when an officer is suffering with suicidal thoughts, so we need to work with that community to foster a general tendency to store firearms securely by default so that, if they one day find themselves thinking about suicide, it will be more difficult for them to make a deadly decision in response to those thoughts,” Anestis concluded.

NOVEMBER

Training Bartenders, Barbers and Divorce Attorneys as Counselors Could Reduce Gun Suicides Click here

People who own firearms don't want to accidentally get hurt or hurt others, he says, but they view the risk that firearms pose to their owners as one worth taking. Still, Anestis contends that common ground for widespread secure storage measures is possible. Research that Anestis and his colleagues published in the February 2021 issue of the American Journal of Public Health showed that “lethal means counseling” for gun owners resulted in wider adoption of safe storage methods.

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NOVEMBER

New Report finds Gun Owners See Little Value in Securing Firearms Click here

“We all accept a certain level of risk in our lives, but a lot of folks are using sort of faulty information to estimate how much risk is involved in keeping my firearm loaded on my bedside table,” said Mike Anestis, lead author of the study and the executive director at New Jersey’s Gun Violence Research Center. “We need to do a better job of equipping trusted voices with the ideas that, hey, safe storage, secure storage, can help prevent a lot of other tragedies,” Anestis added in his interview with NJ Spotlight News.

NOVEMBER

US Suicides Reach Record High

Click here

White men 75 and older had the highest rate at about 44 per 100,000. Overall, men were about four times as likely as women to take their own lives, though the suicide rate for women ages 25 to 34 in particular saw a notable spike, per CNN. The New York Times notes that the rate of suicides involving guns also reached an all-time high, accounting for roughly 27,000 of 50,000 deaths. "When there are more firearms, there are more firearm suicides," says Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center.

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NOVEMBER

New report finds gun owners see little value in securing firearms Click here

Dr. Anestis of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center said he was “sadly not surprised,” since the demographic groups driving the surge in firearm sales did not match the stereotype of “older, white, male gun owners.” Research showed that about half of first-time buyers during the pandemic were female, and an increasing proportion were Black and Hispanic.

NOVEMBER

Why Older Men Are Killing Themselves at Alarming Rates

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The gender imbalance about death by suicide is globally universal, says Mike Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University in Piscataway. “Men tend to choose more violent means, and that typically means firearms,” he says. “When you choose a more violent method for suicide, you’re more likely to die.”

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NOVEMBER

Gun violence is tied to poverty, unemployment, broken families, disengaged youth and racial segregation, according to a study by the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers. Click here

Semenza said reducing shootings in disadvantaged communities is integral to addressing broader disparities in health throughout the nation. Estimates from previous research indicate that firearm violence costs Americans more than $550 billion annually, including losses related to quality of life. “We have accepted too much violence in too many communities for far too long,” said Semenza. “We are seeing the impact it has on many aspects of well-being. The longer we choose to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the problem, the more damage will be done to Americans all over the nation.”

DECEMBER

The One Thing Experts Agree On When It Comes To Guns And Kids Click here

“If firearm owners are unaware of the suicide prevention value of secure firearm storage practices, it makes sense that they opt to have at least one firearm in their home stored loaded and unlocked,” Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers and lead author of the study said in a release. “ The problem is, staging a firearm so it is so quickly accessible dramatically increases the risk for injury and death, so these perceptions are causing firearm owners to put themselves and their families in danger.”

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DECEMBER

Arming America: How we did the analysis

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The Times consulted with Dr. Dan Semenza, who generously set aside time for multiple discussions throughout the process. A list of research that informed the reporting and analysis follows below. Firearm Dealers and Local Gun Violence: A Street Network Analysis of Shootings and Concentrated Disadvantage in Atlanta. Daniel C. Semenza, Elizabeth Griffiths, Jie Xu and Richard Stansfield Licensed Firearm Dealers, Legal Compliance, and Local Homicide: A Case Study. Richard Stansfield, Daniel Semenza, Jie Xu, Elizabeth Griffiths

DECEMBER

Many Gun Owners ‘see little value’ in Safely Storing their Firearms

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Now, researchers at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University collected a representative sample from five diverse states in mid-2022 and then assessed if firearm owners who report storing their firearms loaded and unlocked perceive less utility in specific storage practices when it comes to preventing firearm theft, unintentional shootings, and suicide. “The most common reason for owning a firearm is protection at home, so many firearm owners view their firearms as tools to have on the ready in case of home invasion,” says Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers and lead author of the study, in a media release.

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DECEMBER

Report: 500 to 600 Israelis Applying for Gun License Each Day

Click here The BBC reported that Israeli gun ownership consisted of just “about 2% of the population.” In contrast, the findings of a study by Rutgers University’s New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center estimated that upwards of six in ten Americans own guns.

JANUARY

Storing Guns Safely Could Save Lives. Why Aren’t Americans Listening? Click here

A recent study by Rutgers University examined whether Americans see a direct correlation between safely securing their firearms and the prevention of suicides and accidental shootings. After analyzing the storage practices of over 900 residents from five states, researchers found a clear trend: many of the firearms owners didn’t necessarily see safe storage as a means to prevent suicide or accidental shootings. “There’s an imbalance in the messaging: most Americans know little about the risks that come with unsecured firearms and suicide,” said Michael D. Anestis, lead researcher on the study and a clinical psychologist at Rutgers University.

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JANUARY

White House Announces Initiatives to Promote Safe Gun Storage Click here New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, about what needs to happen to get more Americans to safely secure their firearms. According to a study published in 2023, more than half of gun owners keep at least one firearm unlocked and hidden. But in the majority of American homes, an unsecured firearm is more likely to result in an accidental death or suicide than be used in defense against a home invasion. Anestis explained that many Americans don’t practice safe storage because of decades of messaging by the gun industry emphasizing external threats and the little information available about the risks of unsecured firearms. “Researchers can’t be the singular voice speaking on risks,” he told me. “This has to be a message that comes from multiple channels.”

FEBRUARY

Gun Violence Affects Suicide Risk Among Black People, Study Finds

Click here “Starting in 2018, the rate of Black suicide has continually gone up — this was happening at the same time there was this sharp increase in gun homicide — and this was the first step in seeing if there is a relationship between interpersonal violence and self-directed violence,” said Semenza, who conducted the study with his fellow researchers at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University. Black people in America experience interpersonal firearm violence at disproportionate rates. While research has shown that racism, socioeconomics, and gentrification all contribute to gun violence rates in communities nationwide, evidence also shows that Black Americans are the most susceptible to these factors.

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FEBRUARY

Hope for Suicide Prevention Click here

Other countries, like Israel, have brought down suicide rates dramatically by restricting access to guns. But in the U.S., about 400 million guns are circulating in private hands, said Michael Anestis, who leads the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center. “We don’t know where they are, and even if we did, we would have no way of getting them,” he said.

FEBRUARY

Black People Exposed to Gun Violence more likely to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts, says new study Click here “Our study found that exposure to gun violence, whether experienced directly or indirectly, is associated with increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Black adults,” said lead author Daniel Semenza, director of interpersonal violence research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, in a statement about the research. The center is based at Rutgers Health. “This suggests a possible connection between interpersonal violence and self-directed violence,” Semenza added.

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MARCH

An Emerging Group of Researchers Is Changing Our Understanding of Gun Violence Click here

“I understand that Black men, especially those who are suffering from a firearm-related disability, are hyperinvisible in research,” Baker said. Her work on the health of Black men — bringing them from margin to center — is a direct result of the visibility of the established cohort of researchers in the collective, she said. That dynamic helped her “understand my positionality and intersectionality as a Black woman researcher, researching Black communities.”

APRIL

Rutgers-Eagleton Poll: New Jerseyans Divided on Firearms in the Home Click here “Although opinions may be divided about the risks involved in having firearms in the home, the data is clear on this issue,” said Michael Anestis, an associate professor in urban-global public health at the Rutgers School of Public Health and executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center. “Having a firearm in the home dramatically increases the risk of suicide for all members of the household, while also increasing risk for unintentional shootings and fatal domestic violence. If firearm owners are not aware of this, they may not be taking the necessary precautions to help avoid those outcomes, like storing the firearm securely in the home and storing it legally away from home during times of stress. If a firearm is kept at home to keep people safe, firearm owners should make sure they are actually doing what is necessary to accomplish that goal.”

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MARCH

Who the Military See as Credible to Discuss Secure Firearm Storage

Click here The researchers, whose study appears in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviors, examined data from 719 U.S. service members. “There is no single voice that will appeal to all firearmowning service members, but certain groups are widely seen as credible overall and our results provide a sense of how to best reach different groups of service members to effectively encourage them to store their firearms more securely,” said Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and senior author of the study.

MARCH

Police suicides in Suffolk County highlight mental health risks for law enforcement Click here Michael Anestis, a psychologist who is executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University, said “warrior culture” is a factor in the higher suicide rate among officers: “You solve your own problems. You don't talk about your feelings. You don't reveal what might be perceived as weakness.” Cops are likewise drawn to potentially traumatic situations, he said, and “less fearful of things like danger and injury and the things that you have to be exposed to.

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APRIL

New Poll Reveals how Common Guns are in NJ Homes Click here

“Having a firearm in the home dramatically increases the risk of suicide for all members of the household, while also increasing risk for unintentional shootings and fatal domestic violence," said Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center. "If firearm owners are not aware of this, they may not be taking the necessary precautions to help avoid those outcomes, like storing the firearm securely in the home and storing it legally away from home during times of stress."

MAY Gun Violence Faced by a 'Striking' 60% of Black Americans Click here

This kind of survey-based study cannot prove causation, but it suggests that exposure to gun violence might shape functional disability and everyday well-being through mental trauma, even when it doesn't disable people directly via physical injury," Semenza said.

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GVRC

EXTERNAL CONFERENCES Researchers from the GVRC attended and delivered several presentations that showcased the center's research. Topics included the impact of firearm secure storage, firearm suicide, community safety, the role of mental health in gun violence prevention, and innovative community-based interventions.

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SEPTEMBER

CU Hosts Second Annual Military Firearm Suicide Prevention Summit Click here

Mike Anestis, PhD, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and CU Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative collaborator, presented research on leveraging messaging to promote secure firearm storage. In his research, he found that service members who hadn’t disclosed their suicidal thoughts to anyone were more likely to store their firearms unsecured. In another research study, Anestis found that most participants preferred to receive messaging on firearm safety and suicide prevention from law enforcement, military personnel, military veterans, and family members. Physician, celebrities, and casual acquaintances were considered less credible sources.

SEPTEMBER

Click here The summit provided an excellent opportunity for the GVRC to connect with other organizations and experts in the field of veteran mental health and suicide prevention. These connections are expected to lead to collaborative projects aimed at reducing suicide rates among veterans.

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SEPTEMBER

Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable

The NJ Gun Violence Research Center was as invited by Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. who hosted a roundtable regarding efforts to combat gun violence in Newark, NJ. Dr. Mike Anestis, executive director, of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center represented the Center.

OCTOBER

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The GVRC contributed valuable insights to the broader efforts to prevent gun violence across the United States. Their presence at the conference also helped to build connections that will support ongoing and future research initiatives.

DECEMBER

Click here

Dr. Anestis is a member of the Board of Professional Affairs. Members are elected to represent the interests characteristic of the profession of psychology.

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JANUARAY

Risks and Consequences of Community Gun Violence Exposure

The SSJR is pleased to host Dr. Daniel Semenza, Director of Interpersonal Violence Research at New Jersey’s Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC). The GVRC is among the first state funded research centers in the United States that conducts interdisciplinary research on the causes, consequences, and solutions to gun-related violence, while respecting the rights of legal, safe gun ownership, and use.

JANUARY

Click here

APRIL

Dr. Daniel Semeneza shared his important work on the impacts of gun violence exposure, particularly as it relates to consequences for health.

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GVRC

PODCASTS The GVRC’s work was featured on several influential podcasts, where researchers from the center discussed topics ranging from firearm policy and community-based interventions to the impact of gun violence on mental health and public safety.

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FEBRUARY

Protector, Provider, Self-reliant, Those are just a Few Core Values of Manhood identified by the Participants in a Study of Black men who were Seriously Injured through Gun Violence Click here

Michael Hill: What about the masculinity? What did you find about that? Dr. Nazsa Baker: I found that manhood and masculinities is very, very complex when we're talking about Black men. I asked them, "Wo what does it mean to be a man?" The 10 participants said, "For me being a man is being able to protect, being able to provide," and by provider, they're specifically talking about financially providing and also being able to just uphold white patriarchal standards of masculinity, being self-aware, being able to do things on your own. For them, being able to embody these typical, what we define as masculine traits was important because it's what society has constructed for men.

MAY “Protect and Provide: Perceptions of Manhood and Masculinities Among Disabled Violently Injured Black Men in a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program." Dr. Baker, a distinguished scholar at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and an Assistant Professor at Gwynedd Mercy University, brings a wealth of knowledge from her extensive work on urban health disparities, violence and injury prevention, and, notably, the support needs of Black men navigating the aftermath of firearm violence. Through her lens, we'll explore the transformative journeys of Black men as they redefine manhood amidst the challenges of disability and societal expectations

Click here

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GVRC

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE ANALYTICS (GVRC) closely monitors its social media and website analytics to assess the effectiveness of its outreach efforts, enhance engagement, and optimize content strategies

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SOCIAL MEDIA

The number of new people who followed your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok Pages or accounts. Customize the tile to compare the results for each social network

The number of times posts on your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube Pages or accounts appeared on someone’s screen. Customize the tile to compare the results for each social network

The number of posts you published to your Pages or accounts during the time frame. Customize the tile to compare the results for each social network

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FY24 Total: 3,615 engagements

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The number of clicks on all Ow.ly links and vanity URLs included in the tweets published during the selected date range. We used these links for GVRC new publications.

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165.2k REACH

This metric counts reach from the organic or paid distribution of your Facebook content, including posts, stories and ads. It also includes reach from other sources, such as tags, checkins and Page or profile visits.

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45k IMPRESSIONS

The number of times any content from or about your Pages or accounts was displayed on a Twitter users screen

4.7K

POST LINK CLICKS The number of clicks on the links in your posts that did not generate a feed story

77,177 impressions (paid) 4,115 impressions (organic)

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29,9k IMPRESSIONS The number of times any content from or about your Pages or accounts was displayed on a Twitter users screen

24,6K USERS

he number of people who saw at least one of your organic or boosted posts, or ads. Repeat views and views across different types of posts (photo, video, or carousel) by the same person count as a single view.

232

ENGAGEMENTS The number of times people have engaged with your tweets.

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WEBSITE ANALYTICS The NJ Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) tracks website analytics to better understand how visitors engage with the site and to optimize content for maximum impact. Here’s a summary of the key metrics:

Overview of User Acquisition and Engagment

Website Traffic of Total Users, New Users, and Returning Users

103k

Event Count: The number of times a user played a video, submitted a request, clicked a button, read an article

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User, Engagement, Page Views, and User Search Channels