Evaluation of Safe Firearm Storage Messaging in a Sample of Firearm-Owning US Military Service Members

Anestis, Michael D.; Bryan, Craig J.; Capron, Daniel W.; Bryan, AnnaBelle O.

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.35984

Cited by 21 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…This may indicate firearm owners perceive risks associated with child access as outweighing the risk of potential home invasion. Secure firearm storage messaging that helps clarify the risk of unsecured firearms beyond situations involving child access may thus serve as a method for increasing secure storage; however, such messaging must rely on credible sources who deliver their messages via trusted channels …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Firearm Storage Practices in the US, 2022

et al. 2023

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ImportanceSecure firearm storage may help reduce firearm injury and death. Broad implementation requires more granular assessments of firearm storage practices and greater clarity on circumstances that may prevent or promote the use of locking devices.ObjectiveTo develop a more thorough understanding of firearm storage practices, obstacles to using locking devices, and circumstances in which firearm owners would consider locking unsecured firearms.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of adults residing in 5 US states who owned firearms was administered online between July 28 and August 8, 2022. Participants were recruited via probability-based sampling.Main Outcomes and MeasuresFirearm storage practices were assessed via a matrix provided to participants in which firearm-locking devices were described both via text and images. Locking mechanisms (key/personal identification number [PIN]/dial vs biometric) were specified for each type of device. Obstacles to the use of locking devices and circumstances in which firearm owners would consider locking unsecured firearms were assessed via self-report items developed by the study team.ResultsThe final weighted sample included 2152 adult (aged ≥18 years), English-speaking firearm owners residing in the US; the sample was predominantly male (66.7%). Among the 2152 firearm owners, 58.3% (95% CI, 55.9%-60.6%) reported storing at least 1 firearm unlocked and hidden, with 17.9% (95% CI, 16.2%-19.8%) reporting storing at least 1 firearm unlocked and unhidden. Gun safes were the most frequently used device both among participants who use keyed/PIN/dial locking mechanisms (32.4%; 95% CI, 30.2%-34.7%) and those who use biometric locking mechanisms (15.6%; 95% CI, 13.9%-17.5%). Those who do not store firearms locked most frequently noted a belief that locks are unnecessary (49.3%; 95% CI, 45.5%-53.1%) and a fear that locks would prevent quick access in an emergency (44.8%; 95% CI, 41.1%-48.7%) as obstacles to lock usage. Preventing access by children was the most often reported circumstance in which firearm owners would consider locking unsecured firearms (48.5%; 95% CI, 45.6%-51.4%).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this survey study of 2152 firearm owners, consistent with prior research, unsecure firearm storage was common. Firearm owners appeared to prefer gun safes relative to cable locks and trigger locks, indicating that locking device distribution programs may not match firearm owners’ preferences. Broad implementation of secure firearm storage may require addressing disproportionate fears of home intruders and increasing awareness of the risks associated with household firearm access. Furthermore, implementation efforts may hinge on broader awareness of the risks of ready firearm access beyond unauthorized access by children.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Secure firearm storage messaging that helps clarify the risk of unsecured firearms beyond situations involving child access may thus serve as a method for increasing secure storage 17 ; however, such messaging must rely on credible sources who deliver their messages via trusted channels. [21][22][23]…”

Section: Jama Network Open | Public Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Firearm Storage Practices in the US, 2022

et al. 2023

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“…They found that, among parents who were offered the devices, fewer took and used cable locks (14%) than handgun lockboxes (28%). In the study by Anestis et al, among respondents using a locking device, gun safes were commonly reported to be used regardless of the reason for firearm ownership or specific locking mechanism (keypad/personal identification number/dial vs biometric). There were, however, more notable differences in the choice of locking devices between those who owned handguns only and those who owned long guns only.…”

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confidence: 95%

“…However, our knowledge of precise storage practices, and in particular variations and preferences in using different firearm-locking devices, remains limited. Anestis et al present findings of a nationally representative survey among firearm owners in 2022 to characterize firearm storage practices, locking device preferences, and circumstances that would encourage locking unsecured firearms. They find that 58.3% of the sample reported storing at least 1 firearm unlocked and hidden, and 17.9% reported storing at least 1 firearm unlocked and unhidden.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, some firearm owners may keep all their firearms locked, except the ones kept for the purpose of home defense. The study by Anestis et al focused on the locked status and did not examine the loaded status of firearms. The loaded status of firearms is another consideration in future studies to examine the risk of firearm-related harm in relation to different storage practices.…”

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Firearm Storage Practices—What Constitutes Safe?

Rowhani‐Rahbar

2023

JAMA Netw Open

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The presence of firearms increases the risk of death by suicide, homicide, and unintentional firearm injury for household members. 1 When the household firearms are unlocked, children and adolescents are at an especially high risk of death by suicide and unintentional firearm injury. 2 Therefore, restricting access to household firearms via locking them has been promoted by a variety of organizations as an important strategy to save lives. However, our knowledge of precise storage practices, and in particular variations and preferences in using different firearm-locking devices, remains limited. Anestis et al 3 present findings of a nationally representative survey among firearm owners in 2022 to characterize firearm storage practices, locking device preferences, and circumstances that would encourage locking unsecured firearms. They find that 58.3% of the sample reported storing at least 1 firearm unlocked and hidden, and 17.9% reported storing at least 1 firearm unlocked and unhidden. Among those reporting locking devices, there were variations in the choice of locking devices based on reasons for firearm ownership and types of firearms owned. The most reported circumstance that would make firearm owners consider locking unsecured firearms was preventing access by children.These findings add to a nascent body of evidence reporting that different firearm owners have specific preferences for using certain locking devices. Simonetti et al 4 examined preferences for firearm-locking devices and device features among participants in 2 community-based, firearm safety events in Washington. They found that among participants residing with unlocked firearms, 84% reported that they would consider using or definitely use a lockbox, whereas 11% reported they would never use a trigger lock. In addition, of those residing in households with unlocked firearms, 89% reported that the ability to lock a firearm while loaded and unlock it quickly was absolutely essential. In another study in the setting of those community-based events, Simonetti et al 5 also found that 96% of participants elected to receive a free firearm lockbox rather than a trigger lock.Horn et al 6 conducted a pilot program among 40 randomly selected firearm-owning households in 2 Alaska Native villages to reduce unauthorized access to firearms by youth via installing gun safes and distributing trigger locks. During the follow up-visits, 86% of the gun safes were found locked with firearms inside. In contrast, only 30% of the trigger locks were found to be in use. Barber et al 7 conducted an intervention trial at emergency department settings in Colorado to test counseling parents of youth at risk for suicide to reduce their child's access to firearms. In the absence of consumer preference research and safety guidelines, the researchers adopted their own set of criteria for selecting devices to provide. They sought low-cost devices and could not supply families with full-sized gun safes. They also decided against trigger locks because those devices "do not prev...

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Firearm Access and Gun Violence Exposure Among American Indian or Alaska Native and Black Adults

Anestis,

Moceri-Brooks,

Ziminski

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceAmerican Indian or Alaska Native and Black adults experience elevated rates of firearm injury and death, but both groups are severely underrepresented in research on firearm exposure and behaviors.ObjectiveTo explore geodemographic differences in firearm behaviors and violence exposure among American Indian or Alaska Native and Black adults in the US.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this survey study, nationally representative samples of American Indian or Alaska Native and/or Black adults recruited from KnowledgePanel were surveyed cross-sectionally. Surveys were administered online between April 12 and May 4, 2023.Main Outcomes and MeasuresFirearm access, storage, and carrying behaviors and lifetime firearm violence exposure were the primary outcomes. Demographic factors such as age, geographic location, and political affiliation were considered. Data were weighted to geodemographic distributions from the US Census Bureau’s 2022 Current Population Survey.ResultsOf 3542 participants, 527 (14.9%) were American Indian or Alaska Native (280 [53.1%] female) and 3015 (85.1%) were Black (1646 [54.6%] female). Both groups exhibited high firearm access rates (American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 238 [45.4%; 95% CI, 39.4%-51.7%]; Black adults: 909 [30.4%; 95% CI, 28.0%-32.9%]), predominantly owning handguns for home protection. The groups demonstrated similar firearm storage patterns, and a substantial proportion endorsed always or almost always carrying firearms outside the home (American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 18.9%; Black adults: 15.2%). Self-protection was a common reason for carrying a firearm (American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 104 [84.9%; 95% CI, 74.1%-91.7%]; Black adults: 350 [88.3%; 95% CI, 82.3%-92.4%]), and a minority of participants cited lack of faith in the police (American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 19 [15.2%; 95% CI, 8.2%-26.7%]; Black adults: 61 [15.4%; 95% CI, 10.3%-21.2%]), indicating potential shifts in public safety dynamics.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this survey study of American Indian or Alaska Native and Black US adults, a substantial percentage of both groups reported living in homes with firearms, storing firearms loaded and unlocked, frequently carrying firearms outside the home, and having been exposed directly and indirectly to gun violence. These findings underscore the need for nuanced public health campaigns and policies and highlight challenges for law enforcement in contexts of racial disparities and changing legal frameworks.

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Evaluation of Safe Firearm Storage Messaging in a Sample of Firearm-Owning US Military Service Members

Cited by 21 publications

References 27 publications

Assessment of Firearm Storage Practices in the US, 2022

Assessment of Firearm Storage Practices in the US, 2022

Firearm Storage Practices—What Constitutes Safe?

Firearm Access and Gun Violence Exposure Among American Indian or Alaska Native and Black Adults

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