The Impact of COVID-19 on Gun Violence Across Census Tracts in NYC

This study explores the impact of COVID-19 on gun violence in NYC and its interactive effects with neighborhood factors at the census tract level. Random effects negative binomial models are used to analyze monthly data from January 2017 to March 2021. There was a significant increase in gun violence during the pandemic. In addition, poverty, economic inequality, African Americans, Hispanics, residential mobility, and total population were significantly associated with increases in gun violence. However, there were no significant interaction effects between the pandemic and neighborhood characteristics. This study concludes with a discussion of study limitations and implications.