Firearm caliber linked with possibility of death from gunshot

Bottom Line: The caliber of a firearm was associated with the likelihood of death from a gunshot, with shootings by large-caliber handguns likely to be more deadly than small-caliber guns.

Why The Research Is Interesting: Whether the caliber of a weapon affects the outcome of a shooting is a controversial issue in the debate over gun regulation. Some contend it is the intent of the shooter, not the type of weapon, that determines whether someone who is shot will live or die. That belief is enshrined in the slogan: "guns don't kill people; people kill people." Others, including medical and public health professionals, widely believe that the likelihood of death increases with the power of the weapon.

What and When: Data on shooting cases from Boston Police Department investigation files for assaults that took place from 2010 to 2014; police determined firearm caliber in 183 fatal cases and 184 nonfatal cases; those 367 cases were divided into three groups by caliber: small (.22, .25 and .32), medium (.38, .380 and 9 mm) or large (.357 magnum, .40, .44 magnum, .45, 10 mm and 7.62 x 39 mm)

What (Study Measures and Outcomes): Caliber of the firearm used to shoot the victim (exposure); whether the victim died from the gunshot wound (outcome)

How (Study Design): This was an observational study. Researchers were not intervening for purposes of the study and cannot control all the natural differences that could explain the study findings.

Authors: Anthony A. Braga, Ph.D., of Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, and Philip J. Cook, Ph.D., of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

Results: Compared to shootings with small-caliber guns, the odds the victim will die are higher when medium- and large-caliber guns are used.

Study Limitations: It is possible shooters who used large-caliber guns were somehow more determined to kill or more skillful at it; caliber wasn't available for all shootings; and the study was limited to criminal shootings known to the police.