scholarly journals Effect on background checks of newly-enacted comprehensive background check policies in Oregon and Washington: a synthetic control approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Castillo-Carniglia ◽  
Daniel W. Webster ◽  
Garen J. Wintemute
Keyword(s):  
Gradual Increase ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Synthetic Control ◽  
Private Party ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
Background Checks ◽  
Background Check ◽  
Criminal Background ◽  
Check System

Abstract Background Comprehensive background check (CBC) laws extend background check requirements to private party firearm transfers to prevent firearm acquisitions by prohibited persons. The aim of our study was to estimate the association between CBC policies and changes in background check rates for firearm acquisition in two states (Oregon and Washington) that have newly-enacted CBC policies. Methods We used data on handgun background checks from January 1999 to December 2018 from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Observed trends in exposed states were contrasted with counterfactual trends estimated with the synthetic control group method. Findings CBC policies were associated with increases in background checks in Oregon (by 18.0%; p = 0.074), but not in Washington (4%; p = 0.321). A gradual increase in private party checks was seen following enactment in Washington; however, firearm transactions coded as “private” represent less than 5% of total background checks in that state. Conclusions Comprehensive background check policies appear to be effective in increasing pre-firearm-sale background checks in Oregon but not in Washington. Differences appear to be related to variations in the proportion of firearm sales that are private party transfers and to gradual adaptation to the new law by private gun sellers.

scholarly journals Comprehensive background check policy and firearm background checks in three US states

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Castillo-Carniglia ◽  
Rose M C Kagawa ◽  
Daniel W Webster ◽  
Jon S Vernick ◽  
Magdalena Cerdá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Synthetic Control ◽  
Private Party ◽  
Background Checks ◽  
Background Check ◽  
Consistent Increase ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Using Data

BackgroundComprehensive background check (CBC) policies are hypothesised to reduce firearm-related violence because they extend background checks to private party firearm sales, but no study has determined whether these policies actually increase background checks, an expected intermediary outcome. We evaluate the association between CBC policies and the rates of firearm background checks in three states that recently implemented these policies: Delaware (July 2013), Colorado (July 2013) and Washington (December 2014).MethodsWe used the synthetic control group method to estimate the difference from estimated counterfactual postintervention trends in the monthly rate of background checks per 1 00 000 people for handguns, long guns and both types combined, using data for January 1999 through December 2016. Inference was based on results from permutation tests. We conducted multiple sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of our results.ResultsBackground check rates increased in Delaware, by 22%–34% depending on the type of firearm, following enactment of its CBC law. No overall changes were observed in Washington and Colorado. Our results were robust to changes in the comparison group and statistical methods.ConclusionsThe enactment of CBC policies was associated with an overall increase in firearm background checks only in Delaware. Data external to the study suggest that Washington experienced a modest, but consistent, increase in background checks for private party sales, and Colorado experienced a similar increase in checks for sales not at gun shows. Non-compliance may explain the lack of an overall increase in background checks in Washington and Colorado.

scholarly journals The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act: Lessons in the Development and Implementation of Federal Policy

2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Andy DiRosa
Keyword(s):  
Violence Prevention ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Background Checks ◽  
Prevention Act ◽  
Background Check ◽  
Criminal Background ◽  
Check System ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
Convicted Felons

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (P.L. 103-159) was implemented in a two-stage process beginning in March 1994. During the act's 57-month interim phase, from March 1, 1994, to November 30, 1998, chief law enforcement officers in the United States conducted nearly 13 million handgun background checks, providing documentation that would prevent 312,000 sales to convicted felons and others who were ineligible to purchase firearms. Since November 30; 1998, when the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System became operational, thousands more firearm sales to ineligible buyers have been prevented. This article explores some of the issues surrounding the passage, implementation, and ramifications of this landmark legislation.

Criminal Records, Positive Credentials and Recidivism: Incorporating Evidence of Rehabilitation Into Criminal Background Check Employment Decisions

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Denver
Keyword(s):  
Program Completion ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Criminal Record ◽  
Criminal Records ◽  
Employment Decisions ◽  
Criminal Background Checks ◽  
Background Checks ◽  
Background Check ◽  
Criminal Background ◽  
Initial Denial

Decision makers increasingly incorporate “evidence of rehabilitation” into criminal background checks. Positive credentials can decrease criminal record stigma and improve employment outcomes, but we lack research on whether rehabilitative factors used in such assessments are correlated with recidivism. The current study examines more than 1,000 state-mandated criminal background checks in the rapidly growing health care sector. Everyone in the sample received an initial denial and requested reconsideration by submitting evidence of rehabilitation. The findings indicate prior employer recommendations and program completion are positively correlated with clearance to work, but conditional on contesting in the first place, none of the evidence of rehabilitation factors are negatively correlated with recidivism. Persistently pursuing an employment opportunity through a contestation process may, in itself, signal rehabilitation and lower risk.

scholarly journals Multi-method Examination of Elder Mistreatment in the Age of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 771-771
Author(s):  
Sonia Salari ◽  
Sharon Talboys ◽  
Annie Isabel Fukushima ◽  
Heather Melton ◽  
Seage Michelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Persons ◽  
State Legislature ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Elder Mistreatment ◽  
Background Check ◽  
Criminal Background ◽  
Check System ◽  
To Come ◽  
Elder Adults

Abstract A multi-method study exposed COVID-19 influence on the pre-existing epidemic of elder mistreatment in Utah. We found changes in 1) abuse types, 2) service responses, 3) firearm access and 4) policy implications. Gun sales were tracked by news surveillance and FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for pre-pandemic (2018/2019) and pandemic years (2020/2021). New requests for permits skyrocketed during the pandemic. The 2021 Utah State Legislature loosened restrictions on concealed permits. Domestic violence (DV) Fatality Tracker Data in pre-covid years were compared to 2020-2021. A figure illustrates the prevalence of DV fatalities, ages of victims by year and methods used. We conducted 15 in-depth interviews of stake holders who serve DV victims (shelters, police, etc.). DV shelters had a relative lack of children during the pandemic, but increased use by older persons 60+. Susceptibility to chronic respiratory distress syndrome, required social distance for older persons. DV shelters obtained CARES Act funds to adapt solutions, like placing victims in hotel rooms. Most victims stayed at home, confined with abuser(s), some without technology, so isolation decreased their safety. Evidence suggests some fatalities among elder adults. A case study during the pandemic described a 73-year-old mother’s suspicious bank account activity. Bank employees sent police to her home. She was missing, but her co-resident adult son was in possession of her bank cards. She was later found in a shallow grave. Utah households have increased risks of DV fatalities in the wake of the pandemic and for years to come.

The Use of Criminal Background Checks in Social Work Education

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-33
Author(s):  
Debra Daehn Zellmer ◽  
Thomas Knothe
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Education ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Criminal Background Checks ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Background Checks ◽  
Student Privacy ◽  
Background Check ◽  
Criminal Background ◽  
Work Education

This article reports the findings of an electronic survey regarding the use of criminal background checks, using a convenience sample with 119 BSW and 53 MSW programs responding. Requiring applicants or students to undergo a criminal background check was reported by 25% of BSW and 34% of MSW programs. An additional 66% of BSW programs and 57% of MSW programs reported that,although not a requirement of their programs, criminal background checks were required by some of their field agencies. A procedure for the use of criminal background check information was reported in only 7% of BSW and MSW programs. Safety and welfare of future clients, student privacy, and liability if background checks are not conducted were identified as the issues of greatest importance regarding criminal background checks in social work education. Implications for social work education policy and procedure are considered.

scholarly journals The effect of reduced unemployment duration on the unemployment rate: a Synthetic Control Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-73
Author(s):  
Luzius Stricker ◽  
Moreno Baruffini
Keyword(s):  
Unemployment Rate ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Unemployment Duration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Synthetic Control ◽  
Donor Pool ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the impact of the fourth partial revision of the law of unemployment insurance (AVIG) on unemployment dynamics in Switzerland at a cantonal level. The authors apply the Synthetic Control Method (SCM), a matching method for comparative case studies. A counterfactual analysis of the cases studied is performed by combining a control group of several untreated units, which provides a better comparison to the treatment group than a single unit. The control unit is designed as a weighted average of the available cantons in the donor pool, taking into account the similarities between the chosen controls and the treated unit. Once policy changes are controlled, the results suggest a significant effect on the unemployment rate at a cantonal level: the reform had a discernible impact on lowering the unemployment rate in the Italian- and French-speaking cantons in Switzerland.

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