NCJ Number
239606
Date Published
September 2012
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This report from the New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center presents data on predictors of firearms usage in violent crimes.
Abstract
Previous research has identified three types of factors that predict firearm usage in violent crimes: person, incident, and structural characteristics. This study examined the degree to which these three factors affect the rate of firearms usage in violent crimes in the State of New Mexico. The study found that 1) young adults are more likely to be involved in firearms crimes than other age groups, while those involving juveniles are less likely to involve firearms; 2) violent incidents involving males as either offenders or victims are more likely to involve firearms; 3) the likelihood that a firearm was used in a violent crime was no different for incidents involving all minority offenders or victims than for incidents involving all White offenders or victims; 4) incidents involving either multiple offenders or multiple victims were more likely to involve firearms than incidents involving a single offender or victim; 5) homicide and robbery incidents were more likely to involve firearms than were rape incidents; and 6) violent incidents that occurred at private residences were less likely to involve firearms than incidents occurring in public places. Using data obtained from two sources, official crime data from the Albuquerque Police Department and block-level data from the 2000 census, this study tested eight hypotheses that explored the effect of person, incident, and structural characteristics the use of firearms in violent crimes. The findings indicate that certain characteristics increase the likelihood of firearms usage in violent crimes and that police departments should design policies to reduce the rate of these incidents. Tables and references