Firearm Deaths - Women in Alaska

Alaska

Firearm violence is a serious and deadly public health issue. The United States has a higher rate of firearm deaths than other high-income countries. Firearm deaths among females in the U.S. increased 71% between 2010 and 2021. 

One study found that more than half of all female homicides are related to intimate partner violence, and approximately 10% of women killed by an intimate partner experienced violence in the month preceding their death. 

Research indicates that women who experienced a mass shooting in their county during pregnancy are more prone to giving birth to premature babies and babies with extremely low birth weight.

According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the firearm death rate is higher among: 

• Women ages 20-34 compared with those ages 35-44.
• Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women compared with Asian women.

Firearm deaths are preventable; efforts at the individual, community and policy levels can reduce the firearm death rate.

It is safest not to keep any guns in the home, but gun owners can take steps to improve household gun safety, like: 

• Make sure all firearms inside the house are unloaded and locked away securely.
• Keep all lock combinations, codes and storage keys appropriately hidden, especially from children.
• Never leaving children unsupervised in a home with a gun.

Preventing intimate partner violence, which contributes significantly to firearm deaths among women, is also necessary. Strategies to prevent intimate partner violence include: 

• Teaching social-emotional, conflict management and communication skills to youth and families. 
• Employing early childhood interventions to reduce risk factors associated with partner violence later in life, such as child abuse or neglect, and to promote positive parenting skills and family dynamics.
• Improving financial security for low-income families. 
• Increasing support for survivors such as victim-centered advocacy, health care services, housing programs and legal protections. 

Community violence interventions offer conflict resolution, mental health and social support services targeted at the specific needs of a local community. These can be most effective when partnered with local government agencies that can expand their resources and reach. State-level policy recommendations include strengthening firearms legislation, particularly background check and permit laws. 

Moreover, policies aimed at temporarily confiscating firearms from individuals who are at risk of suicide or pose a threat of violence toward others have proven to be successful. Examples of such policies include Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) and Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs). DVPOs, which mandate the removal of firearms, have demonstrated a 12% decrease in intimate partner homicides. ERPOs specifically target access to firearms. A study on ERPO-style law estimated that for every 10-20 firearms removed, one life was potentially saved.

Improving access to mental health resources can help prevent suicide. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support for people in distress 24/7, everywhere in the U.S. Their website offers additional forms of crisis support, and the previous National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-TALK(8255)) is still active and usable.

Healthy People 2030 has several violence prevention objectives related to firearms, including reducing firearm-related deaths and reducing nonfatal firearm-related injuries.

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Websdale, Neil, Kathleen Ferraro, and Steven D. Barger. “The Domestic Violence Fatality Review Clearinghouse: Introduction to a New National Data System with a Focus on Firearms.” Injury Epidemiology 6, no. 1 (December 2019): 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-019-0182-2.