Editorial

Citation

Cramer, R.J. (2019), "Editorial", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 77-77. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-04-2019-397

Welcome to issue 11.2 of the Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research. This issue presents a three-article special section devoted to the theme novel firearms-related research and scholarship. First, Pirelli and Gold provide insight into a novel approach in mental health assessment and violence prevention, the “Know, Ask, Do” framework for handling firearm-related matters. Grounded in ethics and responsibilities, the authors articulate a rationale for and details concerning the need for healthcare professionals to undertake education or training in basic firearms-related knowledge and cultural competence. This line of training holds promise for positive downstream impacts in areas such as restoration of gun rights and violence prevention. Formica et al. integrate criminal justice and public health perspectives toward understanding characteristics of firearm homicide victims in the state of New York. The authors also demonstrate an important empirical link demonstrating lack of presence of clinicians is associated with higher rates of firearm homicide. Empirical findings raise the possibility of enhancing primary care access in rural areas as a potential partial solution to firearm violence. Finally, Anestis et al. conduct a preliminary evaluation of the National Defense Authorization Act. This law empowered military commanding officers and clinicians to ask active duty service members deemed to be at elevated suicide risk about personal firearms, among other aspects of the law. Analysis of federal data shows mixed evidence for the impact of the law, necessitating more precise data collection efforts and additional future evaluative work.

This special section of the Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research provides new conceptual, practice and empirical understanding toward new solutions to firearm violence.