Definitions
The definitions below will provide a better understanding of terms used throughout the Resource Bank.
| Key terms and phrases | Description |
|---|---|
ammunition feeding device | A firearm part that holds and feeds ammunition into the chamber for each shot, like a magazine, belt, drum, or feed strip, allowing the firearm to fire continuously without needing to reload manually. |
| community violence intervention (CVI) | A strategy for reducing violence through multidisciplinary, community-centered initiatives aimed at preventing and disrupting cycles of violence or retaliation. CVI builds relationships between individuals and community organizations to provide services and opportunities, address trauma, and improve the upstream conditions (physical, social, and economic) that can lead to violence. |
| community violence intervention (CVI) ecosystem | A coordinated strategy involving multiple groups and programs in a community to prevent and reduce community violence. |
| credible messengers | Individuals or groups who are trusted and respected by a specific community because they share similar experiences, backgrounds, or identities. |
| detachable magazine | A device that holds ammunition and can be easily inserted or removed from a firearm, allowing for fast reloading. |
| Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) | A civil order that allows concerned individuals to ask a court to temporarily remove someone’s access to firearms if they believe the person is at risk of harming themselves or others. |
| financial or economic abuse | When one partner controls the other partner’s access to money or financial resources. |
| firearm frame or receiver | The main part of a firearm that holds and supports other parts, like the barrel, trigger, and ammunition feeder. |
| gentrification | The process when a neighborhood changes from an often under-resourced area to a more economically invested one, often causing lower-income and racially and ethnically diverse residents to be displaced or move out. |
| ghost guns | Firearms without serial numbers or other identifying markings, making them difficult to trace. Ghost guns are usually made from kits or parts and can be bought without background checks. |
| health disparities | Differences in health outcomes, such as homicides, suicides, or injuries, among different population groups. |
| health equity | When everyone has a fair chance to be healthy and no one faces barriers to accessing resources to improve their health because of their social or economic situation. |
| high-capacity magazine | A firearm accessory that holds more bullets than a standard magazine,* allowing the firearm to fire more rounds without reloading, which could lead to more shots in a shorter time *Standard magazines are different depending on the model of firearm; for example, standard AR-style magazines are 30 rounds, while many handgun magazines are 7–8 rounds. |
| hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) | Programs that help people treated for firearm injuries in the hospital by offering care, counseling, and support for their social, emotional, and financial needs. |
| lethal means | An item that, when used in a harmful act, could result in death, such as a firearm, sharp object, or poison. |
| lethal means safety counseling (LMSC) | A patient-centered counseling approach to promoting safety behaviors by aligning evidence-based recommendations with patients’ preferences and values. |
| lethality | The ability or capacity to cause death or serious harm. |
| LGBTQ+ | Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. |
| ordinance | A law or rule made by a local government, like a city or county. Ordinances are legally required in the area where they are passed and usually need approval through local government processes. |
| petitioner | The person who files an Extreme Risk Protection Order (against a “respondent”). |
| physical violence | The intentional use of physical force that could cause death, injury, or harm, including actions like scratching, pushing, grabbing, slapping, punching, or using a weapon. |
| psychological abuse | Using words or actions to control someone or hurt them mentally or emotionally, including threats of physical harm. |
| Red Flag Law | A commonly used term for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO). |
| respondent | The person against whom an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) is filed (by a “petitioner”). |
| right to bear arms | The legal right of people to own and carry firearms for self-defense and other legal reasons, as protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. |
| risk factors | Factors that affect the chances of experiencing negative outcomes. |
| safety sightlines | Clear views that let people see possible dangers from a distance. Good sightlines help people spot risks and stay safe; for example, well-lit streets and open spaces make it easier to see what is ahead and avoid problems. |
| secure firearm storage | Storing firearms in a way that keeps them safe from unauthorized access, especially by children, people at risk of self-harm, or those who might use them illegally. The “gold standard” for secure firearm storage is locking all firearms, unloading all firearms, and keeping ammunition stored separately from firearms. |
| semi-automatic rifle | A firearm that fires one shot each time the trigger is pulled and automatically reloads for the next shot. |
| sexual violence | Any sexual act done without the victim’s consent or done to someone who cannot consent. |
| shooting involving law enforcement | Firearm injuries or deaths caused by police or law enforcement officers while performing their duties, also known as “legal intervention.” |
| social determinants of health | The social, economic, and environmental conditions where people are born, live, work, and grow older. These factors can affect a person's health and well-being, including access to health care, education, housing, jobs, and community support. |
| social vulnerability | The social and economic factors (like poverty, no access to transportation, or crowded housing) that negatively affect communities. People who are socially vulnerable may have fewer resources or opportunities to handle or recover from stress or challenges. |
| stalking | A pattern of repeated, unwanted attention or contact that makes someone feel afraid or worried about their safety or someone else’s. |
| straw purchase | When someone buys a firearm for someone who is not allowed to own one. This is illegal and is usually done to avoid background checks or other rules. |
| substance use | The use of alcohol, opioids, stimulants, marijuana, or other prescription or illicit drugs. |
| switch or selector switch | A device on a firearm that lets the user choose between different firing modes, like semi-automatic (one shot per trigger pull) or fully automatic (firing continuously while the trigger is held). |
| transferee | A person who gets a firearm from someone else, either by buying it or receiving it; this means they become the legal owner of the firearm. |
| transferor | A person who legally sells, gives, or transfers a firearm to someone else; this is the person who starts the process of transferring the firearm. |
| trauma-informed care | An approach that recognizes the importance of understanding a patient’s life experiences to provide quality care. |
| wraparound services | A health care model that offers complete, well-rounded care for physical, mental, and emotional health. |