Mandatory gunshot wound reporting in Nova Scotia: a pre-post-evaluation of firearm-related injury rates.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Mandatory gunshot wound reporting laws have been enacted in much of Canada, yet there is a lack of evidence on whether these laws are effective in preventing firearm injuries. Our objective was to determine if the Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act in Nova Scotia had an effect on the number of firearm-related injuries in the province.

Methods

Pre-post-study of major trauma patients in Nova Scotia who sustained a gunshot wound injury before and after enactment of the Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act (Bill 10) in 2008. Data were collected from the Nova Scotia Trauma Registry and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service for a 6-year pre-period (2002-2007) and an 11-year post-period (2009-2019), allowing for a 1-year washout period. Patient characteristics in the pre- and post-p

SUBMITTER: Bennett N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8986452 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature