DISPARITIES IN FIREARM DEATH RATES BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES IN THE UNITED STATES: A REVIEW OF THREE EXPLANATIONS
DISPARITIES IN FIREARM DEATH RATES BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES IN THE UNITED STATES: A REVIEW OF THREE EXPLANATIONS

Summary/Abstract: FIREARM DEATH RATES IN THE UNITED STATES VARY SUBSTANTIALLY AMONG THE COUNTRY’S BLACK AND WHITE POPULATIONS. THE FIREARM HOMICIDE RATE AMONG BLACKS IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN AMONG WHITES, AND THE FIREARM SUICIDE RATE AMONG WHITES IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN AMONG BLACKS. THIS REVIEW EXAMINES THREE OF THE MOST PROMINENT EXPLANATIONS FOR THESE DIFFERENCES—RACISM, CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES. ALTHOUGH THE THREE EXPLANATIONS ARE INTERRELATED AND EACH SEEM TO OFFER SOME DEGREE OF EXPLANATORY POWER, THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT ECONOMIC DISPARITIES APPEAR TO OFFER THE BEST EXPLANATION FOR DISPARATE GUN DEATH RATES AMONG BLACK AND WHITE POPULATIONS.

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