Study Reveals How Firearm Access Fuels Fatal Police Shootings in Mental Health Crises

A recent study highlights a troubling link between firearm availability and police shootings. Researchers at Harvard’s Injury Control Research Center analysed fatal encounters, revealing patterns in how these incidents unfold. The findings come as states like Massachusetts and New Hampshire report varying numbers of officer-involved shootings over recent years.

One key concern is the role of mental health crises in these confrontations. Up to a fifth of police calls involve such situations, with some turning deadly when weapons are present.

The Harvard Injury Control Research Center relied on the Washington Post’s database to track fatal police shootings in Massachusetts. State authorities do not compile their own records, leaving researchers to use external sources. According to the data, Massachusetts saw two such incidents in 2024, five in 2023, and five in 2022.

In neighbouring New Hampshire, the Attorney General’s office reported three shootings in 2026, nine in 2025, and nine in 2024. One case in Raymond involved a 38-year-old man who exchanged gunfire with officers before taking his own life. His brother later confirmed a history of mental health struggles. Another fatal encounter occurred in Northfield in early April. Police responded to a domestic disturbance and shot a 32-year-old woman armed with a knife. A similar incident took place in Boston’s Fenway neighbourhood, where a man wielding a sword attacked first responders and was fatally shot. Nationwide, about 12 percent of fatal police shootings happen during behavioural health calls. Dr. David Hemenway, the centre’s director, noted that firearm access often escalates these situations. Meanwhile, the FBI collects data on such shootings but depends on local departments to submit reports, leading to potential gaps in tracking.

The study underscores how mental health crises and firearm presence increase risks in police encounters. Massachusetts and New Hampshire have both seen fluctuations in shooting numbers, with some cases directly tied to behavioural health emergencies. Without standardised state-level tracking, researchers continue to rely on external databases to monitor these incidents.