Human Factors Deficiencies in Handgun Safety Training

Abstract

Deaths and serious injury from accidental handgun shootings are a major problem in the United States. Among children and adolescents, firearm injuries is the second leading cause of death in the United States, with over 25% being from accidental shootings. Yet, there is evidence that when sound, mandatory training is provided, accidental shooting deaths can be dramatically reduced. When a gun safety program is required or made available in a community, it usually is the standard NRA basic gun safety program. Unfortunately, from a human factors perspective, this training system has a number of deficiencies that limit its potential effectiveness. Some of these deficiencies are described along with suggestions for their elimination. Implementation of these suggestions would provide a training system and program that, if taken by all persons with guns, could dramatically reduce accidental shootings and related injuries or death.