Taking aim at gun violence: tracing bullets and guns to sideline scofflaw dealers

Author: Cole, T. B.
Publication: Jama
Topics: Homicide Law Enforcement Suicide Surveillance/Data Collection U.S./National
Keywords: gun trafficking gun violence unlicensed gun dealer violent injury
Bibliographic information +

The author discusses the use of the National Violent Injury Statistics System (NVISS), a surveillance system that monitors firearm homicide and suicide by linking records on violent injuries from medical examiner reports, law enforcement agencies and elsewhere. This public health approach is utilized at the Medical College of Wisconsin to trace guns and bullets used in violent crimes to help reduce illegal trafficking by unlicensed gun dealers. By linking diverse data sets, such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, which is administered by the ATF and collects information on bullets recovered during crime investigations, and enlisting the help of health professionals, such as emergency trauma surgeons, the 12 centers of the NVISS aim at reducing gun violence.