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.

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.

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.

Common Sense or Gun Control? Political Communication and News Media Framing of Firearm Sale Background Checks After Newtown

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma E. McGinty ◽  
Julia A. Wolfson ◽  
Tara Kirk Sell ◽  
Daniel W. Webster
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Political Communication ◽  
News Media ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Background Checks ◽  
Background Check

Abstract Gun violence is a critical public health problem in the United States, but it is rarely at the top of the public policy agenda. The 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, opened a rare window of opportunity to strengthen firearm policies in the United States. In this study, we examine the American public's exposure to competing arguments for and against federal- and state-level universal background check laws, which would require a background check prior to every firearm sale, in a large sample of national and regional news stories (n = 486) published in the year following the Newtown shooting. Competing messages about background check laws could influence the outcome of policy debates by shifting support and political engagement among key constituencies such as gun owners and conservatives. We found that news media messages in support of universal background checks were fact-based and used rational arguments, and opposing messages often used rights-based frames designed to activate the core values of politically engaged gun owners. Reframing supportive messages about background check policies to align with gun owners' and conservatives' core values could be a promising strategy to increase these groups' willingness to vocalize their support for expanding background checks for firearm sales.

scholarly journals Increasing Firearm Deaths in The Youngest Americans: Ecologic Correlation with Firearm Prevalence

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Archie Bleyer ◽  
Stuart Siegel ◽  
Charles R. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Death Rate ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Background Checks ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Background Check ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn the United States (U.S.), the overall death rate in 1-4 year-olds had been steadily declining until 2011, after which it ceased to improve. To understand this trend reversal, we investigated trends in the causes of their deaths.MethodsMortality data were obtained from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, firearm background check data from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and civilian firearm prevalence from the Small Arms Survey.FindingsIn 1-4 year-olds, the rate of fatal firearm accidents during 2002-2017 increased exponentially at an average rate of 6.0%/year (p=0.0003). The rate of increase was the greatest of all evaluable causes of death in the age group. Both the rate increase and most recent absolute rate in firearm accidental deaths in young children were correlated with the concurrent corresponding rate of firearm background checks (p = 0.0002 and 0.003, respectively). Also, the firearm accidental death rate in countries with high civilian firearm prevalence was correlated with the number of guns per civilian population (p=0.002).InterpretationPrior to 2004, the childhood firearm death rate did not increase during the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. Since 2004 when the Ban ended, the steadily increasing rate of sales and concomitant availability of, and access to, firearms in the U.S. has been associated with an increase in fatal firearm accidents in its youngest children. The acceleration of firearm deaths and injuries among young Americans requires urgent, definitive solutions that address firearm prevalence.FundingNo external funding.KEY POINTSQuestionIn the U.S., how has the escalation of both firearm sales and firearm death rates affected the country’s youngest population?FindingsWhile the steadily increasing rate of sales and concomitant availability of, and access to, firearms in the U.S. has increased since 2004, fatal firearm accidents in 1 to 4 year-olds increased exponentially and at a rate greater than all other evaluable causes of death in the age group.InterpretationThe ominous acceleration of firearm deaths and injuries among young Americans requires urgent, definitive solutions from multiple stakeholders to effectively reduce firearm access.

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