US workers who carry guns are more likely to be killed on the job
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《英国医生杂志》
Workers in petrol stations, grocery stores, and other locations who take weapons with them to work are three to seven times as likely to be murdered at work than workers in equivalent jobs in which weapons are prohibited, a study has found ( American Journal of Public Health 2005;95: 6-8).
Although some Americans keep guns for protection, having a gun at work may increase the risk of becoming a victim of violence. "I know there are lots of people with guns, especially in retail businesses. I don't know they offer any benefit of increased worker safety," Dana Loomis, professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lead author, told the BMJ.
Murder is the second leading cause of death at work, after road traffic crashes, for workers in the United States. Every week, about 20 workers are killed and about 18 000 are assaulted.
Professor Loomis told the BMJ that this report was part of a study of workplace murders in North Carolina. The state has a thorough medical examiner system to investigate causes of death. This paper and previous ones from the study covered 105 workplaces where murders occurred between 1994 and 1998 and compared them with 210 control workplaces where no murders occurred ( American Journal of Epidemiology 2001;154: 410-7 and JAMA 2002;287: 1011-7).
Filmmaker Michael Moore demonstrates in his film Bowling for Columbine how easy it is to buy ammunition. New research shows that carrying a weapon at work increases your chance of being killed
Credit: COLUMBINE ALLIANCE ATLANTIS/DOG EAT DOG/UNITED BROADCASTING/KOBAL COLLECTION
Workers who were allowed to carry weapons, such as chemical sprays, bats, knives, or guns, were three times as likely to die from workplace homicides as those who worked in places that prohibited all weapons. Workers in places that allowed guns were seven times more likely to be killed.
The places where workers were most likely to be killed were convenience stores, petrol stations, grocery shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and taxi services. Workers at highest risk were those who worked in male only workplaces and those with African-American or Asian employees. Working alone at night was especially dangerous.
Of the 105 murders studied, 60 were associated with a robbery of the workplace and 39 with disputes. Of the disputes, 20 were work related, 16 were with a partner or family member, and three were other or unknown. The circumstances of six other murders were unknown. Safety measures to protect workers, besides keeping daylight hours, included eliminating solo work at night, keeping doors closed, and using bright outside lighting.
Professor Loomis said that he did not know why employers would allow workers to have guns on the job, but it might be the belief that guns offer protection against crime. However, he said, his data showed that places where guns were available increased the risk of homicide. Previous studies showed that households with guns were more likely to have someone affected by violence.(Janice Hopkins Tanne)
Although some Americans keep guns for protection, having a gun at work may increase the risk of becoming a victim of violence. "I know there are lots of people with guns, especially in retail businesses. I don't know they offer any benefit of increased worker safety," Dana Loomis, professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lead author, told the BMJ.
Murder is the second leading cause of death at work, after road traffic crashes, for workers in the United States. Every week, about 20 workers are killed and about 18 000 are assaulted.
Professor Loomis told the BMJ that this report was part of a study of workplace murders in North Carolina. The state has a thorough medical examiner system to investigate causes of death. This paper and previous ones from the study covered 105 workplaces where murders occurred between 1994 and 1998 and compared them with 210 control workplaces where no murders occurred ( American Journal of Epidemiology 2001;154: 410-7 and JAMA 2002;287: 1011-7).
Filmmaker Michael Moore demonstrates in his film Bowling for Columbine how easy it is to buy ammunition. New research shows that carrying a weapon at work increases your chance of being killed
Credit: COLUMBINE ALLIANCE ATLANTIS/DOG EAT DOG/UNITED BROADCASTING/KOBAL COLLECTION
Workers who were allowed to carry weapons, such as chemical sprays, bats, knives, or guns, were three times as likely to die from workplace homicides as those who worked in places that prohibited all weapons. Workers in places that allowed guns were seven times more likely to be killed.
The places where workers were most likely to be killed were convenience stores, petrol stations, grocery shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and taxi services. Workers at highest risk were those who worked in male only workplaces and those with African-American or Asian employees. Working alone at night was especially dangerous.
Of the 105 murders studied, 60 were associated with a robbery of the workplace and 39 with disputes. Of the disputes, 20 were work related, 16 were with a partner or family member, and three were other or unknown. The circumstances of six other murders were unknown. Safety measures to protect workers, besides keeping daylight hours, included eliminating solo work at night, keeping doors closed, and using bright outside lighting.
Professor Loomis said that he did not know why employers would allow workers to have guns on the job, but it might be the belief that guns offer protection against crime. However, he said, his data showed that places where guns were available increased the risk of homicide. Previous studies showed that households with guns were more likely to have someone affected by violence.(Janice Hopkins Tanne)