California’s comprehensive background check and misdemeanor violence prohibition policies and firearm mortality
Annals of Epidemiology, October 2018
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1047279718306161#
The simultaneous implementation of a comprehensive background check (CBC) and misdemeanors violence policies (MVP) were not associated with a net change in the firearm homicide rate over the ensuing 10 years in California. The decrease in firearm suicides in California was similar to the decrease in nonfirearm suicides in that state. Results were robust across multiple model specifications and methods.
Abstract
In 1991, California implemented a law that mandated a background check for all firearm purchases with limited exceptions (comprehensive background check or CBC policy) and prohibited firearm purchase and possession for persons convicted within the past 10 years of certain violent crimes classified as misdemeanors (MVP policy). We evaluated the population effect of the simultaneous implementation of CBC and MVP policies in California on firearm homicide and suicide.
Methods
Quasi-experimental ecological study using the synthetic control group methodology. We included annual firearm and nonfirearm mortality data for California and 32 control states for 1981–2000, with secondary analyses up to 2005.
Results
The simultaneous implementation of CBC and MVP policies was not associated with a net change in the firearm homicide rate over the ensuing 10 years in California. The decrease in firearm suicides in California was similar to the decrease in nonfirearm suicides in that state. Results were robust across multiple model specifications and methods.
Conclusions
CBC and MVP policies were not associated with changes in firearm suicide or homicide. Incomplete and missing records for background checks, incomplete compliance and enforcement, and narrowly constructed prohibitions may be among the reasons for these null findings.
Firearm User Network 
Everyday Marksman
Mar 01, 2019 @ 08:47:40
Facts don’t matter here, though.
All of us know legislation like this doesn’t do anything. But the ever-looming problem in the background is that proving it only further prods the other side to, “Fine, let’s just ban everything” territory.
I honestly don’t know how, or even if we can, pull back from the path that’s we’re all going down.
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John M. Buol Jr.
Mar 01, 2019 @ 11:26:32
Probably true. The already-convinced aren’t interested in on-going research and/or data collection.
I found the study interesting because it was done by academics that would normally not be associated with this sort of finding and the full paper did seem to push toward the “something more must be done.”
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