“Victims of domestic violence can take advantage of behavioral cues, which serve as advance warning signs, and ready themselves accordingly. In most threatening situations, advance preparations could include securing a weapon.” GARY KLECK41 “It is apparent to me that arming of American women needs to be brought out into the open, discussed, and advanced—a rueful awakening, without a doubt, but perhaps the last frontier needed to be won by women on the road to equality.” PAXTON QUIGLEY57

Firearms are tightly woven into the fabric of American life. Forty percent of Americans homes contain one or more firearms; the average gun-owning household contains four.<sup>17 Council on Scientific Affairs, AMA Violence against women: Relevance for medical practitioners JAMA 1992 ;  267 : 3184-3189

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Approximately one third of the estimated 192 million firearms in private possession are handguns.<sup>17 Council on Scientific Affairs, AMA Violence against women: Relevance for medical practitioners JAMA 1992 ;  267 : 3184-3189

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup>

People keep guns for many reasons, including hunting, target shooting, and sport. Most guns are also owned (at least in part) for self-defense. In the right hands, and under the right circumstances, immediate access to a firearm can be lifesaving. More often, ready access to firearm results in tragedy. This is particularly true in households gripped by family violence.

This chapter reviews data on firearm use in episodes of fatal and nonfatal intimate partner violence (IPV). Research on the value of guns for self-protection is contrasted with studies that indicate that the risks of keeping a gun in the home outweigh the potential benefits. Finally, recommendations are presented that are designed to reduce the odds that a firearm will be used in the context of IPV.

Guns do not cause violence; however, it is clear, that use of a gun amplifies the consequences of violence, whether the violence is directed towards oneself or towards others.<sup>60The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Emory University.

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Emergency physicians and other healthcare workers should therefore include an assessment of weapon availability whenever they question a victim of IPV. If the threat of harm is real, appropriate precautions must be taken to protect the patient's life.^{*The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Emory University.}