Gun Violence Emerges as a Leading Threat to Pregnant Women
A recent study has shed light on the alarming rise of gun violence as a significant threat to pregnant women in the United States. The study, which analyzed over 7,000 homicides of women aged 15 to 49 between 2018 and 2021, revealed that pregnant women faced a 37% higher risk of being killed with a firearm compared to non-pregnant women.
Published in JAMA Network Open on November 10, the findings underscore the stark reality that more than two-thirds of all pregnancy-related homicides involve the use of guns. Dr. Lois Lee, one of the study’s co-authors and an associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the link between firearm availability and the increased risk of homicide during pregnancy.
The study also highlighted the impact of even minor increases in gun ownership, with states experiencing a 6% rise in overall homicide and an 8% increase in firearm-specific homicide among pregnant women for every 1% increase in firearm ownership. Dr. Lee emphasized the predictable and preventable nature of these deaths, calling for urgent policy changes to address the issue.
Notably, the highest number of firearm homicides among pregnant women occurred in the 20 to 24 age group, with a disproportionate number of Black women falling victim to gun violence. Dr. Lee highlighted the role of broader systems of inequity and structural racism in shaping the risks of homicide during pregnancy, emphasizing the need for policy-level interventions to address the issue.
Gun violence experts have pointed to the importance of stronger firearm surrender laws in protecting women experiencing intimate partner violence. While most states prohibit individuals with final protective orders from purchasing guns, many do not mandate the surrender of firearms already in their possession.
Effective surrender laws, such as those implemented in King County, Washington, involve collaboration between courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement to recover guns involved in domestic violence cases. The county reported that firearms are the most commonly used weapons in domestic violence homicides in the state.
For Shirley Scarborough, the statistics hit close to home. Her daughter, Francesca Harris-Scarborough, who was three months pregnant, fell victim to gun violence in 2020. In response, Scarborough founded a nonprofit in Virginia called Cry Loud, Spare Not, Speak Up, to support women experiencing domestic violence and empower young girls and women through self-esteem programs.
As the issue of gun violence continues to threaten pregnant women across the country, it is crucial to implement comprehensive policies and support systems to protect vulnerable individuals and address the root causes of this alarming trend. The study serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life and ensure the safety and well-being of pregnant women in the United States.
