Effectiveness of denial of handgun purchase to persons believed to be at high risk for firearm violence.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether denial of handgun purchase is an effective violence prevention strategy. METHODS: Individuals denied handgun purchase because of a prior felony conviction and handgun purchasers with a felony arrest at time of purchase were examined. RESULTS: Relative to those denied purchase, handgun purchasers were found to be at greater risk for subsequent offenses involving a gun (relative risk [RR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 1.36) or violence (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.39), after adjustment for number of prepurchase weapon/violence charges. CONCLUSIONS: Denial of handgun purchase to persons with a prior felony conviction may lower their rate of subsequent criminal activity.