County Variation in Intimate Partner Homicide: A Comparison of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Victims

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Intimate partner homicides (IPH) have increased among Hispanic women over the past five years.
• Macro-level factors influencing IPH have not sufficiently incorporated ethnicity.
• Firearm access, specifically licensed firearm dealer availability, has not been studied alongside other correlates of IPH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the role of licensed firearm dealer availability in IPH.
• To explore ethnic-specific variations in IPH by analyzing county-level data.
• To investigate the interplay between economic disadvantage, firearm access, and IPH rates.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from 2010-2016.
• Employed multilevel negative binomial regression models to analyze county-level data.
• Assessed the impact of licensed firearm dealer availability, economic disadvantage, divorce rates, and rurality on IPH.

Main Results:

• The rate of licensed firearm dealers and divorce showed consistent associations with partner homicides.
• A significant association between gun stores and IPH was observed in urban counties for total and non-Hispanic (Black and White) populations.
• Significant ethnic and racial variations in IPH were identified, influenced by factors like economic disadvantage, rurality, and state policies.

Conclusions:

• Licensed firearm dealer availability is a significant factor in intimate partner homicides, with variations across urban and rural settings.
• Economic disadvantage, rurality, non-intimate homicide rates, and state policies are crucial correlates that exhibit ethnic-specific patterns in IPH.
• Future research and policy should consider the intersection of firearm access, socioeconomic factors, and ethnicity to address intimate partner homicide disparities.