Household Firearm Research Articles

One third of households in the USA own firearms which are often stored unsafely

Question What is the prevalence of firearms and how are they stored in households in the USA? Study Design Systematic review. Main results Forty-two articles met inclusion criteria. All studies had cross-sectional designs (and included 7 national prevalence studies, 5 state prevalence studies, 14 clinic-based convenience samples and 10 were samples of professionals). Studies published between 1992 and 2002 estimated that firearms were present in a third of households in the USA. More than 25% of household firearms were kept loaded, but only half of these were kept locked. More than 50% of households with firearms had handguns. The proportion of handguns in households with children was the same as those without children. However, firearm storage practices were slightly more secure in households with children. Medical professionals had a similar rate of handgun ownership to the general population. There was little information about the use of gunlocks, trigger locks, gun safes, gun cabinets and lock boxes. There was also little information about the storage of firearm ammunition. Authors’ conclusions Firearms can be found in about a third of households in the USA. Medical professionals and people with children have a similar rate of firearm ownership to the general population. A significant number of households store guns and firearms unsafely, which is a serious cause for concern.

Firearms and suicide in the northeast.

A central question in suicide research is whether firearm availability increases the overall number of suicides rather than the proportion of suicides from guns. Seven state health departments supplied mortality and hospital discharge data for all suicides and nonfatal hospitalized suicide attempts between 1996 and 2000. Firearm prevalence measures came from the Behavioral Risk Factor Survey Surveillance. Pearson correlation coefficients and associated chi statistics were used to quantify the relation between firearm prevalence and rates of suicide; ordinary least squares regression was used to explore whether the relation could be explained by differences across states in attempt rates or method-specific case fatality rates. Firearm prevalence was positively related to the suicide rate, even after controlling for rates of attempted suicide, and could not be accounted for by differences in method-specific case fatality rates. When it comes to suicide, the availability of household firearms matters-a lot.

Studying “exposure” to firearms: household ownership v access

Background: Firearm ownership has often been used to measure access to weapons. However, persons who own a firearm may not have access to it and conversely, persons who do not...

Rates of household firearm ownership and homicide across US regions and states, 1988-1997.

In this study we explored the association between rates of household firearm ownership and homicide across the United States, by age groups. We used cross-sectional time-series data (1988-1997) to estimate the association between rates of household firearm ownership and homicide. In region- and state-level analyses, a robust association between rates of household firearm ownership and homicide was found. Regionally, the association exists for victims aged 5 to 14 years and those 35 years and older. At the state level, the association exists for every age group over age 5, even after controlling for poverty, urbanization, unemployment, alcohol consumption, and nonlethal violent crime. Although our study cannot determine causation, we found that in areas where household firearm ownership rates were higher, a disproportionately large number of people died from homicide.

Association of rates of household handgun ownership, lifetime major depression, and serious suicidal thoughts with rates of suicide across US census regions

Objective: Cross sectional studies in the United States often find a significant positive association between levels of household firearm ownership and suicide rates. This study investigates whether the association can...

Household firearm ownership and suicide rates in the United States.

In the United States, more people kill themselves with firearms than with all other methods combined. A central question regarding the relation between firearms and suicide is whether the ready availability of firearms increases the suicide rate, rather than merely increasing the proportion of suicides from guns. We used publicly available data for the nine regions and 50 states in the United States over a 10-year period (1988-1997) to examine the association between levels of household firearm ownership and rates of suicide, firearm suicide, and non-firearm suicide by age groups and gender. In both regional and state-level analyses, for the U.S. population as a whole, for both males and females, and for virtually every age group, a robust association exists between levels of household firearm ownership and suicide rates. Where firearm ownership levels are higher, a disproportionately large number of people die from suicide.

Guns and Gun Threats at College

A random sample of more than 10,000 undergraduate students, selected from 119 4-year colleges, answered a mailed questionnaire about gun possession and gun threats. Approximately 4.3% of the students reported that they had a working firearm at college, and 1.6% of them have been threatened with a gun while at school. Students are more likely to have a firearm at college and to be threatened with a gun while at college if they are male, live off campus, binge drink, engage in risky and aggressive behavior after drinking, and attend institutions in regions of the United States where household firearm prevalence is high. Having a firearm for protection is also strongly associated with being threatened with a gun while at college. Students who reported having firearms at college disproportionately reported that they engaged in behaviors that put themselves and others at risk for injury.

Suicide and firearm prevalence: are youth disproportionately affected?

The effect of firearm availability on suicide may differ among age groups. We used regression analysis to examine the relationship between suicide rates and household firearm ownership for four age groups in the nine census regions from 1979 to 1994, adjusting for regional divorce rates, education, unemployment, and urbanicity. Results showed that firearm ownership levels are correlated with suicide rates among 15- to 24-year-olds and 65- to 84-year-olds, but not among 25-to 64-year-olds. The findings suggest that if the relationship is causal, a 10% fall in regional firearm ownership levels would lead to a 3.0% decrease in suicide rates.

Are household firearms stored safely? It depends on whom you ask.

To determine gun storage practices in gun-owning households with children. National random digit-dial telephone survey of 2521 households conducted in March 1999 through July 1999. This study uses a subsample of 434 households with children <18 years old in which a respondent reported either: 1) personally owning a gun, or 2) living in a gun-owning household but not owning a gun themselves. Respondents were asked whether any household gun was currently stored loaded, and, if yes, whether any gun was currently stored loaded and unlocked. Twenty-one percent of gun owners compared with 7% of non-owners reported that a household gun was stored loaded, while 9% and 2%, respectively, reported that a household gun was stored loaded and unlocked. Non-gun owners were significantly more likely than were gun owners to be female (87% vs 22%) and to report that they lived in a house with only 1 gun (70% vs 57%) and no handguns (51% vs 31%). Based on the reports of actual gun owners (n = 252), households with children <13 years old were significantly less likely to store a gun loaded and unlocked (multivariate odds ratio:.1; 95% confidence interval:.0,.4) than were households with teenagers only. We find that among gun-owning households with children, non-gun owners report significantly lower rates of guns stored loaded and unlocked than do gun owners. These findings are consistent with recent studies that have found that married men are far more likely to report household gun ownership than are married women, and that gun users are far more likely to report that a gun is stored loaded or loaded and unlocked than are never users. Our findings suggest that non-gun owners, the vast majority of whom are women (87%), may be unaware that guns in their homes are stored in a manner that experts agree is unsafe. Our findings reinforce the importance of many pediatricians' current efforts to offer anticipatory guidance about firearms to gun-owning families, and, in addition, suggest that this guidance can be adapted depending on whether the physician is speaking with a gun-owning or non-gun-owning parent. In particular, because gun owners (mostly fathers) are less likely to bring children to the pediatrician's office than are non-owners (mostly mothers), physicians should take advantage of any opportunities that they have to address gun-related issues with parents who personally own guns. More commonly, physicians can encourage non-gun owners to participate more fully in household decision-making about gun storage by letting them know not only about recommended storage practices, but also that many non-owners may not know how guns are actually stored in their own homes. firearm, storage, children, survey.

Firearm presence in households of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Attention has recently been drawn to the potential dangers of firearm use among patients with dementia. However, little is known about the actual prevalence of firearms in households with demented family members. This study seeks to determine the prevalence and loaded status of firearms in households with a demented family member in a sample of outpatients at a University memory disorders clinic. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, subjects underwent a structured NINCDS-ADRDA criteria comprehensive evaluation to assess dementia and were also administered a questionnaire to assess level of mood disturbance. Family members were administered a behavioral checklist and surveyed about the number and loaded status of firearms in the patient's household. The study took place in an outpatient Medical University memory disorders clinic in the Southern United States. Subjects were 106 consecutive outpatients referred for symptoms suggestive of dementia. Firearm presence was coded as "present," "not present," and "unsure." In cases where firearms were present, the number and loaded status were collected. Other outcome measures included the Clinical Dementia Rating of each patient, the Yesavage Mood Inventory, and the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist. A high prevalence of firearm prevalence in households with demented family members was revealed (60.4%). Gun ownership was equally prevalent in households regardless of the severity of the dementia (chi-square, P = .426), severity of behavioral disturbance (ANOVA P = .88), or depressive symptoms (ANOVA P = .37). In households with firearms, 44.6% of the families reported that the guns were kept loaded; 38% reported that they did not know whether the guns were loaded. Only 16.9% of the families reported that guns were maintained in an unloaded state. This study suggests that many family members living in households in which there are demented patients do not take appropriate action to remove or unload firearms in their households, regardless of the severity of dementia, behavioral disturbance, or depression. These findings suggest that clinicians need to ask families specifically about the presence of firearms and advocate for their removal.

Household firearm storage practices: Do responses differ by whether or not individuals ever use firearms?

Introduction: The prevalence with which firearms are stored loaded or unlocked has been measured in previous surveys. Our purpose was to compare household firearm storage practices reported by firearm users and nonusers. Methods: We analyzed telephone survey data from the 1992 and 1993 Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System on 2454 randomly selected adults in households with firearms. We compared reported firearm storage practices among persons who ever used firearms with persons who had never used firearms by demographics and type of firearm. Results: Nonusers of firearms were much less likely than firearm users to report that household firearms were always or sometimes stored loaded [odds ratio (OR) = 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.36–0.54] or stored loaded and unlocked (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.36–0.57). Except for persons aged 18 to 34 years and persons in handgun-only households, differences in reported firearm storage practices between nonusers and users varied little by demographic characteristics or by type of firearm. Nonusers of household firearms may be unaware that firearms are stored loaded or stored loaded and unlocked in their homes. Conclusions: Surveys that do not consider firearm use status may underestimate household exposure to loaded firearms or to loaded and unlocked firearms.

Firearm ownership in households with children

Background/Purpose: Increased morbidity and mortality rates in children injured by firearms has been well documented during this past decade. The aim of this study was to determine the socioeconomic factors affecting firearm ownership in families with children living in suburban/rural versus inner-city environments, and to identify predictors of firearm ownership in these families. Methods: Parents of children less than 19 years old seen in a suburban (n = 751) or inner-city hospital (n = 406) anonymously completed a questionnaire regarding firearm ownership. Results: Firearm ownership was 54% in rural locations, versus 18% among inner-city residents ( P < .05). Firearm ownership in white households was 45% versus 20% in African-American households ( P < .05). Mean number of all types of firearms in white households was 3.38 versus 1.78 in black households ( P < .001). Firearm ownership was 19% in the less than $20,000 income bracket, significantly lower than households with greater incomes, and was significantly lower in households in which parents had the least education (19.7%) versus those with college degrees (38.5%; P < .05). Firearm owners of rifles and shotguns significantly more often cited hunting, collection, and target shooting as reasons for owning firearms, in contrast to revolver owners who cited protection and collection as reasons for firearm ownership ( P < .05). Conclusions: Firearm ownership is higher in rural, caucasian versus inner-city African-American residents and is significantly less in households with lower income and educational levels. Significant predictors for firearm ownership were number of parents in households, educational level of parents, and population of residence.

Police collection of firearms to prevent suicide: correlates of recent turn‐in experience

Although household firearm removal is a recommended strategy for preventing deaths among suicidal youth, appropriate mechanisms for household firearm disposal have not been identified. We surveyed members of an association of police chiefs about experience, polices and attitudes with respect to the collection of firearms turned in to prevent adolescent suicide. Over one‐third of the respondents reported recent firearm turn‐ins to prevent suicide. Three‐quarters of the respondents reported the existence of departmental policy to handle suicide‐related turn‐ins. The existence of departmental policy with respect to firearm surrender was significantly associated with recent suicide‐related turn‐in experience. Attitudes were associated with the existence of a policy and, for departments without a policy, intentions to implement a policy. Inspection of comments provided by informants suggested that attitudes were associated with knowledge about the role of firearms in completed suicide. Although further longitudinal research is needed to evaluate whether policies are a precursor to experience, our data support the viability of this causal hypothesis. A high base rate of existing involvement of police jurisdictions in suicide prevention suggests that prevention efforts focused on expanding police involvement may prove successful. We discuss the development of a written firearm turn‐in policy in one police department and append this policy as an example.

Population Estimates of Household Firearm Storage Practices and Firearm Carrying in Oregon

To examine statewide data on exposure of adults and children to loaded and unlocked household firearms, and to estimate the prevalence of firearm carrying among adults in Oregon. Analyses of 1992 and 1993 telephone survey data from 6202 adults aged 18 years and older using the Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Number of adults and children exposed to household firearms always or sometimes stored loaded and unlocked. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for exposure to loaded and unlocked firearms and firearm carrying among adults by demographic and alcohol use patterns. Ten percent of adults (197 400 persons) lived in households with firearms that were always or sometimes stored loaded and unlocked. An estimated 6.2% of households with children had firearms that were loaded and unlocked, and about 40 000 children lived in these households. Overall, 4.4% of adults carried loaded firearms in the past month. Rural residence, male sex, and less than a college education were associated with living in a household with loaded and unlocked firearms and with firearm carrying. Drinking 5 or more alcoholic beverages on 1 or more occasions in the past month (OR, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.3) or drinking 60 or more alcoholic beverages in the past month (OR, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.7) were independently associated with living in households with loaded and unlocked firearms. Many adults and children are exposed to unsafely stored firearms in Oregon, and many adults carry loaded firearms. Improved public health surveillance of firearm storage and firearm carrying using standardized questions and definitions is needed at the national, state, and local levels.

Firearms and Fatalities

To the Editor. —The work of Dr Hargarten and colleagues 1 points to the significance of firearm availability as a critical public health concern. The availability of firearms and the corresponding implications for homicide and suicide become of even greater consequence when noting the prevalence of firearms in the general population, the manner in which guns are stored, and attitudes toward guns, particularly by youth. In a statewide survey with 1301 adult (aged >18 years) respondents we conducted in 1993 in Kentucky, 63% of homes contained firearms. 2 As high as this prevalence is, more concerning is the 75% household prevalence of firearms we found in surveys in 1993 and 1994 of 1014 students in an urban, a suburban, and a rural high school in Kentucky. 2 These numbers can be compared with the 65% household firearm prevalence among suicide cases and 41% among control subjects reported in the study

Population estimates of household firearm storage practices and firearm carrying in Oregon

Population estimates of household firearm storage practices and firearm carrying in Oregon

Bronchodilators in COPD.

<h3>Objectives</h3> To describe firearm storage practices among US adults and examine the relationship between having received formal firearms training and firearm storage. <h3>Methods</h3> In 2015 we asked a nationally representative online sample of 2072 gun owners how they stored household firearms, their reasons for owning guns, the number and types owned, had they carried a loaded handgun in the prior month and whether they had formal firearms training (and if so, whether training covered suicide prevention, accident prevention, firearm theft prevention, safe handling and safe storage). Unadjusted associations between gun owner characteristics and storage practices were estimated using Pearson’s χ² tests; adjusted associations used multivariate logistic regressions. Final survey weights that combined presample and study-specific poststratification weights account for oversampling of firearm owners and survey non-response. <h3>Results</h3> 29.7% (95% CI 27.4% to 32.1%) stored ≥1 firearm loaded and unlocked. Of the 61.4% (95% CI 58.9% to 63.9%) of gun owners with firearms training, 32.3% (95% CI 29.4% to 35.3%) stored ≥1 firearm loaded and unlocked, compared with 25.8% (95% CI 22.3% to 29.7%) of those without training. Storage did not differ by training component, age, sex or race. However, firearms were more likely stored loaded and unlocked when respondents owned for protection, owned &gt;1 firearm, owned handguns or carried a loaded gun. After adjusting for firearm-related characteristics, firearms training was not associated with storing firearms loaded and unlocked (adjusted OR=1.11, 95% Cl 0.80 to 1.53). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Firearms training, as currently provided, is unlikely to reduce unsafe firearm storage.

Children's Household Exposure to Guns: A Pediatric Practice-Based Survey

Guns in the home are a factor in pediatric unintentional and intentional firearm injuries, yet the patterns of ownership and use are unclear. OBJECTIVES. To describe the prevalence of firearms in households containing children who go to pediatricians, the types of firearms owned, the purposes of such ownership, the conditions of firearm storage, and the social correlates of ownership. METHODS. Survey of parents attending 29 (urban, suburban, and rural) pediatric practices in Chicago, New Jersey, Houston, Utah, Georgia, Iowa, and South Carolina for well or sick child care during a 1-week study period. The main outcome measure was ownership of rifle/shotgun and/or handgun. RESULTS. Gun ownership was reported by 37% of 5233 respondent families: rifles (26%), handguns (17%), and powder firearm (32%). Ownership varied significantly across practices and geographical locations. Thirteen percent of 823 handguns and 1% of 1327 rifles were reported both unlocked and loaded. Recreation was the most common reason for both rifle (75%) and handgun (59%) ownership; 48% of handguns were kept for self-protection versus 21% of rifles. In logistic regression models, predictor variables for firearm ownership included rural area, single family dwelling, at least one adult male, and fewer preschool children (for handgun and rifle); mother with at least 12 years education (for handgun), and white mother (for rifle). CONCLUSIONS. The data presented suggest that US pediatricians routinely see children in families that own firearms, including a worrisome number that keep loaded and unlocked handguns. Until more detailed information becomes available, it is reasonable for pediatricians to be guided by these data, and so to counsel routinely about gun exposure.

Attitudes toward Firearms and Reasons for Firearm Ownership among Nonurban Youth: Salience of Sex and Race

Few studies have examined firearm attitudes and reasons for gun ownership among nonurban youth. Analysis of responses of 367 northern Louisiana elementary and secondary students showed sex and race, more than hunting or shooting experience, appear responsible for their differences in attitude White girls and black youth express greater discomfort in shooting game animals than intruders. White boys were more likely to hunt, own and use firearms, as well as express progun attitudes. 80% of students were willing to restrict gun ownership, with girls generally favoring more controls than boys. Despite the presence of firearms in most households, few students had gun-safety training. Further research on differences in attitude by sex and race and the discrepancy between availability of firearms and safety training is suggested.

Risk and prevention of youth suicide.

The rate of fatal suicide attempts among males rose dramatically between 1950 and 1980 and has continued to rise significantly during the 1980s among 15- to 19-year-old youth. Nonfatal suicide attempts, although far more frequent among females, appear to share similar risk factors with completed suicide. The most important preconditional risk factors for both fatal and nonfatal suicide attempts are a history of a previous attempt, major affective and conduct disorders, chronic substance abuse, and a history of personal losses, including experience of suicide attempts by peers and family members. Risk factors for the acute precipitation of an attempt include the acute disruption of an interpersonal relationship, alcohol intoxication, and access to firearms. Preventive efforts can be enhanced by pediatricians both in the office and the community. Clinical case finding of individuals thought to be at high risk will continue to identify some potential victims. Families with household firearms should be counseled regarding the risk of firearm injury and death, particularly in a home with an individual with other risk factors. Community campaigns to improve the mental health of youth and to reduce firearm ownership may hold future promise for the reduction of the unacceptable morbidity and mortality associated with adolescent suicide attempts.