Factors Associated with Firearm-Related Risk Reduction Strategies Among Men and Women Handgun Owners: A New Direction to Increase Public Safety

Abstract

The U.S. has the highest number of guns in the hands of civilians in the world, increasing the need for strategies that reduce firearm-related accidents and violence. Understanding experiences and behaviors of current handgun owners and how they may differ by gender could be used to target interventions to reduce firearm-related risks. This study describes differences between men (n = 184) and women (n = 243) handgun owners on fear for personal safety, victimization experiences, and firearm-related experiences, worries, and risk reduction strategies. Participants were recruited via Prolific to complete a 20-min survey. Results indicate that more women handgun owners had interpersonal victimization experiences, were more concerned about their personal safety, and had less confidence in their firearm handling skills than men. Risk reduction strategies were positively related with having someone who taught them about using a firearm, past year shooting practice, higher safety efficacy, carrying a firearm, and lower firearm-related worries. Only 20% of men and women worried about children accessing their firearm and a smaller proportion worried about accidently shooting another person. Targeting gun owners with the importance of firearm-related risk reduction strategies as well as increasing information about personal safety strategies that do not involve handguns may help prevent injuries.