Nearly two-thirds of adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of in-person exposure to gun violence, according to a national study by Rutgers researchers tracking racial disparities in direct and media-based experiences. This study, published in the Lancet Regional Health – Americas, examines how frequently U.S. adults are exposed to gun violence, both in person and through media, based on data from a nationally representative sample. It looks at who is most affected based on their race, income, and the neighborhoods they live in.
Researchers surveyed 8,009 adults throughout the U.S. to find out how often people experience gun violence, whether directly (such as being shot) or indirectly (such as hearing gunshots nearby). They also looked at how participants frequently see or hear about gun violence through TV, newspapers and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The study compared these experiences across different racial and income groups, using advanced statistical methods to ensure accurate results.
According to the study, 64% of U.S. adults have experienced some form of in-person gun violence exposure. Black and Hispanic adults are significantly more likely than White adults to report being shot, threatened with a gun, witnessing a shooting or knowing someone who has been shot. To read the full story.