Factors Associated With Secure Firearm Storage Among U.S. Gun Owners.

INTRODUCTION

This study examines the prevalence of secure firearm storage behaviors through direct and indirect measures, identifies associated factors, and provides insights for targeted public health interventions to reduce gun injury.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 10,000 respondents designed to be representative of U.S. adults was administered online in January 2024. Respondents self-reported firearm ownership and storage practices measured directly (locked and unloaded) and indirectly (If you need your firearm in the middle of the night, approximately how long would it take you to have it ready to use?). Multivariable logistic regression models determined demographic, socio-economic, and firearm-related correlates of secure storage.

RESULTS

Approximately half of gun owners reported storing their firearms locked and unloaded, while two thirds reported having access in under 60 seconds. Secure storage was more common among women, individuals with children in the home, those who owned fewer firearms, and those whose primary firearm use was for hunting, sport, or collection. Unsecure storage was more prevalent among respondents who reported fears of being shot in various contexts, including at home, in their neighborhood, or at work. Certain demographic and contextual factors, notably, victimization history, political orientation, and the presence of child access prevention laws, were associated with secure storage according to one measure but not the other, highlighting differences in how these practices are measured.

CONCLUSIONS

Firearm storage behaviors are largely driven by perceptions of safety, highlighting the need for public health efforts that address fear and tailor messaging to groups less likely to store firearms securely.