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Drunk and dangerous? Exploring the tenuous links among drunk driving, alcohol arrests, and firearm violence in an urban context

Author

Listed:
  • Melde, Chris
  • Circo, Giovanni
  • Zeoli, April
  • Wolfe, Scott
  • Sadler, Richard C.
  • Oliphant, Stephen
  • Almanza, Matthew
  • O'Brien, Mallory

Abstract

Recent research and policy discussions have focused on prohibiting individuals with repeat alcohol-related offenses from purchasing or possessing firearms. To expand on this work, we use linked administrative data from a cohort sample (n = 36,274) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin residents to assess the association between arrests for alcohol-related offenses and later involvement in gun violence as either a shooting suspect or victim. Findings suggest arrests for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and other alcohol-related offenses were associated with increased risk of firearm-related violence only in models that did not account for other forms of offending, while no association was observed after controlling for non-violent or violent arrest histories. Our findings suggest that alcohol-related offenses do not act as an efficient marker of future firearm violence risk in Milwaukee. Policies that restrict firearm purchase or possession based on alcohol-related offenses may therefore do little to address gun violence in urban contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Melde, Chris & Circo, Giovanni & Zeoli, April & Wolfe, Scott & Sadler, Richard C. & Oliphant, Stephen & Almanza, Matthew & O'Brien, Mallory, 2025. "Drunk and dangerous? Exploring the tenuous links among drunk driving, alcohol arrests, and firearm violence in an urban context," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:98:y:2025:i:c:s0047235225000558
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102406
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