Firearm violence (i.e., interpersonal, police firearm violence) disproportionately affects racially minoritized communities. Researchers recently shifted their focus from race to racism to better understand the factors that contribute to racial disparities in firearm violence. Considering the emerging evidence base, we conducted a scoping review of published literature to: (1) summarize the quality of evidence in studies of racism and firearm violence, (2) identify key findings, and (3) prioritize steps for future research. A search for articles published between 1990 and 2025 across seven databases was conducted utilizing key terms. Of the 39 studies identified, 34 examined associations between racism and interpersonal firearm violence, and 5 examined associations between racism and police firearm violence. Residential racial segregation, historical redlining, racialized economic segregation, racial inequalities in socioeconomic outcomes, and other novel measures of racism (e.g., historical enslavement rate, the killing of George Floyd) were identified as risk factors for firearm violence. The majority of studies utilized cross-sectional data, and a few studies examined mediators and moderators. Five future research priorities were identified, including: (1) developing a theoretical framework for the study of racism and racial disparities in firearm violence, (2) testing mechanisms between the relation between racism and firearm violence, (3) identifying protective factors, (4) applying a developmental perspective, and (5) improving data surveillance systems for firearm violence. The FSRH also suggests that racial disparities in police shootings result not only from individual officers' racial prejudice but also from a longstanding history of institutionalized control and violence against Black Americans. Modern policing originated in the 1700 s as “Slave Patrols,” which later evolved after the Civil War into forces that enforced Black Codes and eventually Jim Crow laws (Parks & Kirby, 2022 ). Police departments have long existed to uphold ideologies and practices reinforcing White supremacy. Notably, this amendment, passed in 1996, prohibits the use of federal funds to advocate or promote gun control, effectively impeding research on firearm violence by restricting federal agencies (e.g., CDC) from funding or conducting research to address firearm violence as a public health issue. This has led to significant gaps in understanding and addressing the root causes of racial disparities in firearm violence. Firearm violence outcomes and ( 2022 ) CrossSectional Census tracts Census tracts (all of US) N/A Index of Dissimilarity; Interaction Index; Diversity Index Residential racial segregation (index of dissimilarity) is associated with less fatal police shootings for Hispanic victims. Residential racial segregation (lower interaction index) is associated with more fatal police shootings for Black victims. Residential racial segregation (lower Diversity index) is associated with higher levels of fatal police shootings for Black and Asian victims. Mesic et al. Residential racial segregation is associated with a higher level of Black‐White disparity in fatal police shootings. Economic disparity is associated with a higher level of Black‐White disparity in fatal police shootings. Employment disparity is associated with a higher level of Black‐White disparity in fatal police shootings Rafail ( 2024 ) Retrospective correlational study Multiple cities and states National data from 2014‐2018 analyzed at the county‐level N/A Index of Dissimilarity Fatal police shooting There were significant racial disparities in fatal police shootings of youth based on race. The ratio of fatal police shootings to 100,000 youth ranged from 0.64 ‐ 0.86 for black youth, 0.27 ‐ 0.34 for Latinx youth, and 0.14 ‐ 0.22 for white youth. Specifically, residential racial segregation—as operationalized by ICErace – was indirectly associated with future youth firearm aggression by increasing neighborhood disadvantage and exposure to violence. Siegel et al. ( 2019 ) Cross Sectional 75 largest cities Largest 69 cities in the US, fatal police shootings from 2013‐2017 Racial Threat Hypothesis Index of Dissimilarity Black‐White disparity in fatal police shootings Residential racial segregation is associated with higher levels of Black‐White disparities in fatal police shooting rates Siegel et al. These three studies found that these novel indicators of structural racism can influence interpersonal firearm violence. RACISM AND POLICE FIREARM VIOLENCE Methodological qualities Theoretical foundation Three of five studies examining the association between racism and police firearm violence used the racial threat hypothesis (also known as the minority threat or social conflict hypothesis) to explain racial disparities in fatal police shootings ( theory described in Jacobs & O'Brien, 1998 ; Smith, 2004 ). Mesic et al. Researchers suggested that a link between residential segregation and fatal police shootings would support the racial threat hypothesis, while an association between crime rates and fatal police shootings would support the community violence hypothesis (e.g., Mesic et al., 2018 ). Racism measurement All five studies assessed residential racial segregation using the index of dissimilarity (Leslie et al., 2022 ; Mesic et al., 2018 ; Siegel et al., 2019 , 2021 ). Concerning police firearm violence, the police may perceive racially segregated communities as inherently threatening, leading to over‐policing and greater police shootings in these communities (Siegel et al., 2021 ). Reducing racial disparities in fatal police shootings could involve structural interventions, such as community‐led governance approach may be promising strategies for promoting fair and just policing practices (Hodgkinson et al., 2019 ). Further, racist practices are deeply entrenched in modern‐day policing through tactics like stop‐and‐frisk.