Handgun Purchase Trends, Washington State: Differences by Age of Buyer, , , ,

See related editorials, p 77 and p 79. Study objectives: To examine trends in legal handgun purchases from federally licensed dealers and specifically to describe recent changes in age and gender of purchaser and caliber of handguns purchased. Methods: A cohort study was performed of the adult population of Washington state from 1950 through 1992 using a state dealer record of handgun sales database. The purchase of handguns from licensed dealers was expressed as the number purchased per 100,000 population per year. Results: The handgun purchase rate increased for the total population between 1950 and 1992, from 169 to 2,076 per 100,000 persons. Between 1983 and 1992, the purchase rate among men aged 21 to 24 years increased 184%; among women of this age group, the rate increased 127%. Among men aged 21 to 24 years, the rate of 9 mm handgun purchases increased 1,682% between 1983 and 1992, the greatest increase for any age-caliber category. Conclusion: The greatest increase in rate of legal handgun purchases in Washington state from 1983 through 1992 was among the youngest purchasers. Sales of 9 mm handguns increased most rapidly, especially among the youngest buyers. [Dowd MD, Grossman DC, Cummings P, Britt J: Handgun purchase trends, Washington state: Differences by age of buyer. Ann Emerg Med July 1998;32:60-64.]