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Dan Semenza

@daniel-semenza.bsky.social
2K followers 1.5K following 156 posts

Criminologist | Associate Professor at Rutgers University | Director of Research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center | Stoneleigh Fellow

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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
We used overlap weighting to compare current and former GLP-1 users and evaluated the findings across multiple alternative specifications, weighting approaches, and sensitivity tests. The central moderation findings remained quite stable, especially those involving impulsivity.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
A methods note for those who enjoy digging into the details: although this appears as a research note, the online supplement contains a substantial set of supplemental/robustness analyses.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
New paper today in Criminology. Do GLP-1 medications influence behavioral pathways linked to violence? In a nationally representative U.S. sample, the links between impulsivity, alcohol use, and violence were substantially weaker among current GLP-1 users. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
That's awesome! Glad to be in good company, the scene will never leave me haha.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Before I became a gun violence researcher, I mostly wanted to play rock ’n’ roll. I wrote a short piece for the @njgvrc.bsky.social blog about how I ended up studying violence prevention. You can read it here: gunviolenceresearchcenter.rutgers.edu/node/4190
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
At minimum, we must reckon honestly with whether our current interpretation of the Second Amendment promotes safety and equality, or whether it undermines both.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Equal rights under the Constitution require restraint, accountability, and consistency, not political rhetoric. If a constitutional right cannot be safely exercised without risking death at the hands of the state, we should ask whether it is functioning as a protection at all.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
The killings of both legally armed men make clear that when the Second Amendment is conditional, selectively enforced, and overridden by fear, it fails the very people it claims to protect.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
When lawful gun possession can be reframed as an inherent threat sufficient to justify killing someone, the Second Amendment ceases to protect life or liberty and instead becomes a rationale for escalation.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
This should trouble everyone, regardless of political ideology or views on gun policy. A constitutional right that becomes a liability the moment it is exercised, particularly during encounters with law enforcement, is not being applied equally.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Like Castile, Pretti was legally licensed to carry a firearm. Like Castile, he did not brandish his weapon or threaten law enforcement. And like Castile, the mere presence of a lawful firearm was treated as justification for lethal force after the fact.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
I see disturbing parallels between the killings of Alex Pretti and Philando Castile nearly a decade ago, both in Minnesota. When considered together, these deaths should force us to confront a difficult truth: the Second Amendment is not applied equally to all Americans.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
New today in Race and Justice: Families of Black homicide victims file the most victim compensation claims but are approved less often. Disparities largely due to “contributory misconduct,” a discretionary and often biased rule. 📰 Read the full study here: journals.sagepub.com/eprint/ZNHMK...
journals.sagepub.com
Racial Disparities in Victim Compensation Among Homicide Survivors in the United States - Daniel C. Semenza, Jeremy Levine, Tanya Sharpe, Kimberly Burke, Brielle Savage, 2025
This study investigates racial disparities in victim compensation among families of homicide victims across 18 U.S. states from 2015 to 2023. Using individual-l...
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New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center @njgvrc.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
🎙️ Hear from @daniel-semenza.bsky.social, director of research at the #NJGVRC, NEW Vlog/Blog on: The ripple effects of gun violence exposure — and how it impacts mental, physical, and behavioral health. 👂📖 ➡️ ow.ly/9GO750X0jZq What does “violence exposure” really mean? Take a moment to listen.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
When it comes to dealing with illegal guns in the US, the Pareto Principle reminds us that the vast majority are supplied by a small number of bad dealers. So what can we do? Find out in my new @vitalcitynyc.bsky.social piece, out today in a brand new issue. www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/the...
vitalcitynyc.org
Vital City | The 80/20 Rule of Gun Supply
Why focusing on the small fraction of problem dealers offers the clearest path to reducing violence
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Honored to be named a top-10 finalist for the USERN Prize in Social Sciences for my work on gun violence prevention 🌍 If you have 2 minutes, I’d be grateful for your support: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... 📄(Select Social Sciences → my name → give a “5” → submit)
docs.google.com
USERN Prize 2025, Evaluation of Top 10 Candidates (Public Votes)
USERN has been established with the noble purpose of the expansion of science and elimination of borders that used to strictly divide knowledge into different majors and fields. In order to serve this...
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
New paper out today led by @testaalex.bsky.social. We use all 5 waves of Add Health to show that early violent victimization is linked to long-term gaps in dental care. Violence early in life shapes our health trajectories for decades. 🦷 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Early Life Violent Victimisation and Dental Care Use From Adolescence Through Adulthood
Objectives This study examined the relationship between early-life violent victimisation and dental care utilisation patterns from adolescence to middle adulthood (ages 11–43). Methods Data were f...
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New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center @njgvrc.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
🚨New Research 📝 from #NJGVRC 📚 “Local Homicides Increase Suicide in U.S. Counties” Lead author: @daniel-semenza.bsky.social Co-PIs: @mikeanestis.bsky.social & Dr. Kimberly Burke Local homicide spikes linked to rising suicides—underscoring the toll of community violence. 📚 Read 🔗 ow.ly/xVmT50Wxo6O
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
🚨 Our GVRC FY26 RFP is now live! Up to $1M in funding across 3 tracks for gun violence prevention research. Faculty, postdocs, and students at U.S. universities are eligible. Due Sept 1. 📄 gunviolenceresearchcenter.rutgers.edu/FY26RFP 🔗 Apply: rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
New paper out today in Social Science & Medicine: Higher homicide rates → higher suicide rates the next year, especially with firearms. 50 years of U.S. county data + quasi experimental design. Biggest impacts in rural & White communities. 🔗 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Local homicides increase suicide in US counties
Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States, with rates rising over the past two decades. While research suggests an association bet…
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Really enjoyed being a guest on the No Jargon podcast w/ @scholars.org to talk about the recent declines in gun violence - and what we need to do to make sure that progress continues. Click below or check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Less ATF funding = fewer inspectors for firearm dealers = more risk for guns to get into the wrong hands. It's not rocket science. Trump's DOJ cuts to the ATF have nothing to do with keeping Americans safer or being tough on crime - it's pure politics. www.npr.org/2025/07/02/n...
npr.org
Trump administration targets ATF, with plans to cut jobs and ease gun restrictions
DOGE staffers have been working on changes at the ATF that would roll back dozens of gun restrictions. The DOJ wants to downsize the agency — a move some fear will hinder criminal investigations.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Thanks Daniel, much appreciated!
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
It's official: New Jersey lawmakers REJECTED a $1 million cut to the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and the budget approved by the state includes full funding for our center this year. Some welcome good news after so much bad. 🎉 🎉 🎉 www.thetrace.org/2025/07/new-...
thetrace.org
Major Gun Violence Research Hub Escapes Crippling Funding Cuts
New Jersey lawmakers decided against slashing the state research center’s budget, a move that provides stability to the field amid shaky federal support.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Doing a final recruitment push to work with teenagers in New Jersey and learn about their exposure to gun violence on and off social media. Total compensation is up to $200 - please share with your networks!
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Spoke with @njspotlightnews.org about the massive funding cuts to violence intervention programs here in NJ and across the country. Gun violence is down, but the recent historic gains won't hold if we dismantle all of the systems that made them possible. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/trum...
njspotlightnews.org
Violence intervention programs reel from Trump funding cuts | NJ Spotlight News
Some violence intervention programs, including in NJ, have had layoffs or ended services after grant funding was abruptly canceled.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
It is HOT🔥And with the heat comes greater risk for violence, especially shootings in cities. I'll be talking about heat and gun violence TODAY at 6:40pm EST on The Weather Channel, including why violence rises with the temperature and most importantly, what we can do about it.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
It's really important to share good news right now. According to the Real-Time Crime Index and @jeffasher.bsky.social, murders are down nearly 22% across the country. That's a big deal and we should continue fighting to keep progress going.
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John Roman @johnkroman.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Crime in America spiked with the COVID-19 pandemic, then plummeted. Here are four reasons why. open.substack.com/pub/johnkrom...
open.substack.com
Explaining the COVID Violence Spike and the Roaring Crime Decline
Four Reasons for the Historic Beginning to the 2020s
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
If you're planning to submit an abstract to join us in Tempe this year, consider attending the webinar on 5/21 or office hours this spring to help develop your abstract!
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Emmy Betz, MD, MPH @emmybetz.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Conference call for submissions: www.firearmresearchsociety.org/2025-call-fo... Pls share broadly! @meganranney.bsky.social @bulletptsproj.bsky.social @mikeanestis.bsky.social @uconnarms.bsky.social @drewmckevitt.bsky.social @lisageller.bsky.social @nickbwilson.bsky.social @bychipbrownlee.com
firearmresearchsociety.org
Call for Abstracts — Research Society for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Please share widely! @everytown.bsky.social @krisbrown.bradyunited.org @bradyunited.org @giffords.org @momsdemand.bsky.social @njgvrc.bsky.social @jhucgvs.bsky.social @ucdaviscvp.bsky.social @pcgvr.org @marchforourlives.bsky.social @thesavir.bsky.social @injurycenterco.bsky.social
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
A sincere thanks to @scholars.org for helping to get the word out. If you're looking to refine or place an op ed, SSN provides incredible support. You can learn more about their work and become a member on their website. scholars.org
scholars.org
Home | Scholars Strategy Network
Your one-stop resource for timely and reliable research. Get the expertise you need from our responsive network of America's top experts.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
The systems that have made America safer are under attack. My new op-ed in @commondreams.org explains why we can’t stay quiet as the Trump admin rapidly dismantles much of our violence prevention + public safety infrastructure. We can't go backward. www.commondreams.org/opinion/trum...
commondreams.org
America’s Safety Is Fragile; Trump Is Tearing Down the Systems That Protect It | Common Dreams
The systems that protect our lives and our communities were built through years of tireless effort. They can’t be allowed to collapse overnight.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Erasure is in the DNA of this administration. This memorial was meant to serve as a permanent reminder to the ATF about who they are meant to protect every day. Now it's gone from an agency that has completely lost its way. www.npr.org/2025/05/04/n...
npr.org
An exhibit honoring victims of gun violence is taken down at ATF headquarters
The Faces of Gun Violence exhibit at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) headquarters showed the portraits of 120 people killed in gun violence in the U.S.
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Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Thinking about devastating cuts to NSF: US gov-funded science has been the engine upon which most of the tech wealth was generated. But the oligarchs (currently hoarding much of that $) think it’s their own brilliance & not the accident of standing close to the scientific engine that made them rich.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Tiny silver lining to all the terrible cuts to funding and research for violence prevention and public safety: all of what is happening is an acute shock we can use to measure effects before and after. We can test the impact and understand in detail what we've lost. Evidence as we rebuild.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Community violence prevention has been decimated in just the last week by the Trump administration, particularly in places like Philly and throughout my home state of New Jersey in places like Camden, Trenton, Newark, and Patterson. A complete reversal of progress. www.thetrace.org/2025/05/viol...
thetrace.org
Trump's Budget Cuts Reach the Front Lines of Philly's Fight to Reduce Shootings
The Trump administration is yanking funding from several Philadelphia organizations, despite their role in slowing bloodshed.
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Jennifer Doleac @jenniferdoleac.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
My colleagues and I are following news of OJP grant cancellations. As is true more broadly, if you have a research project with a strong causal design that you need funding to complete, please send us a proposal! We will do our best to expedite time-sensitive requests.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Thanks so much to @thetrace.org and @fairrionam.bsky.social for lifting up our work on gun violence exposure and dental care. The more research we do, the more we find that gun violence exposure impacts almost every aspect of our health and well-being. www.thetrace.org/2025/04/gun-...
thetrace.org
Gun Violence Linked to Surprising Side-Effect: Poor Dental Health
For decades, the effects of gun violence exposure on overall physical health has largely been overlooked, but a new study shows a startling link: In communities with the highest rates of gun violence,...
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
@mikeanestis.bsky.social @krisbrown.bradyunited.org @bradyunited.org @everytown.bsky.social @jhucgvs.bsky.social @pcgvr.org @actiononguns.bsky.social @injurycenterco.bsky.social @thesavir.bsky.social @dukefirearmslaw.bsky.social @ucdaviscvp.bsky.social @thetrace.org @ssn-njphilly.bsky.social
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Most U.S. adults have experienced gun violence—either in person or through the media. But Black and Hispanic communities face the heaviest burden. A new national study from @njgvrc.bsky.social shows just how widespread and gun violence exposure really is: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
In-person and media gun violence exposure in the United States: prevalence and disparities in a nationally representative, cross-sectional sample of adults
Knowledge remains limited about how people experience different types of exposure to gun violence. We analyzed the prevalence of in-person and media g…
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Honestly, everything feels terrible right now. But one of the greatest things about America is its public library system. I've always found peace at the library. If you want to feel proud of something here, even for just 90 minutes, then this documentary is for you. www.pbs.org/independentl...
pbs.org
Free for All: The Public Library - Independent Lens
The story of how public libraries shaped America and how libraries continue to be a sanctuary for Americans everywhere.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
When federal grants get terminated, it doesn't just halt research. It removes money DIRECTLY from the pockets of scientists and staff. Grants cover people's time to do the work and time = money. The Trump/DOGE assault is not just an attack on science. It is theft, plain and simple. It is illegal.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
What is happening at the NSF right now is a scientific crisis. Hundreds of grants, including my own, are being terminated for no other reason than Ted Cruz and Elon Musk say so. Without legal intervention, soon there will be nothing left of this agency. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Hundreds more NSF grants terminated after agency director resigns
Sethuraman Panchanathan abruptly leaves helm of US funding agency after Elon Musk’s DOGE arrives.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
My very sleepy pug looks EXACTLY how I feel today.
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Completely stunned. In a matter of minutes, I've found out that two major federal grants from different agencies have been cancelled. Just...gone. The grants focused on supporting local community violence prevention efforts and enhancing data on non-fatal shootings. Cruelty is the point.
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Science for Good ☀️ @sciforgood.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Are you a health equity researcher who has lost federal funding for a project? RWJF’s Evidence for Action is offering Rapid Response grants to support community-centered, social science research disrupted by cuts. ☀️ More details: www.rwjf.org/en/grants/ac...
rwjf.org
Research to Advanced Racial and Indigenous Health Equity
We seek to build an actionable body of evidence to construct fair systems that determine resource distribution and support health equity. Deadlines: Rapid Response brief proposal 5/28/25; New Research...
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Brad Heath @bradheath.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
From @reuters.com: The Trump administration has canceled hundreds of law enforcement grants that funded everything from services for mental health care for police officers to support programs for victims of crime and sexual assault www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
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Dan Semenza @daniel-semenza.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
The DOJ has cancelled millions of dollars in grants for gun violence prevention, victim advocacy, and addiction support. This will hurt local governments and grass-roots organizations doing life-saving work. The assault on public safety continues. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
washingtonpost.com
DOJ cancels grants for gun-violence and addiction prevention, victim advocacy
In an email to staff, the head of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs said the canceled grants don’t align with Trump administration priorities.
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