Vehicle Firearm Storage: Prevalence and Correlates in a Sample of Male Firearm Owners

Tucker, Raymond P.; Powers, Jeff; Pardue-Bourgeois, Sarah; Oakey-Frost, Nicolas; Moscardini, Emma H.; Gilroy, Shawn P.; Capron, Daniel W.; Bryan, Craig J.; Anestis, Michael D.

doi:10.1080/13811118.2021.2020698

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 29 publications

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“…10 Similar patterns have emerged in studies examining families with and without children in the home, older adults, and military veterans. [11][12][13][14] One study 15 reported that 40% of firearm owners noted at least occasionally storing firearms in their vehicles, with more than 15% of those individuals storing firearms loaded and unlocked. Furthermore, some high-risk communities (eg, firearmowning military service members with a history of suicidal ideation) are particularly prone to unsecure firearm storage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Firearm Storage Practices in the US, 2022

et al. 2023

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Examining whether method of suicide exposure and closeness to decedent relate to firearm storage practices

Albury,

Gerner,

Jobes

et al. 2024

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

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IntroductionOne factor that can influence whether someone will engage in secure firearm storage is having a suicide exposure (SE). Daruwala et al. (2018) examined this and found that individuals with an SE, without considering perceived closeness, did not significantly differ from those who did not have an SE in their firearm storage practices. Thus, the present study aimed to replicate and extend the research of Daruwala et al. (2018) by examining if the method of suicide (by firearm or other means) and closeness of suicide decedent relate to secure firearm storage practices.Methods308 male firearm owners completed self‐report measures assessing SE, perceived closeness to decedent, and current firearm storage practices. Chi square and logistic regression analyses were conducted.ResultsSuicide loss exposure, regardless of method used in suicide, did not relate to firearm storage practices in this sample. We also found that there was no association between perceived closeness to the decedent who died by suicide by firearm and secure storage, without considering age.ConclusionsResults underscore the difficulty in helping male firearm owners develop personally salient reasons to increase safety with firearms. Implications for clinical care, firearm safety, and public health initiatives are explored.

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Honor Endorsement and Increased Firearm Purchasing Behavior and Intentions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bock,

Daruwala,

Tucker

et al. 2024

Psychol Rep

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The surge in firearm sales from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic have been linked to increases in firearm violence, which is of public concern given that having firearms in one’s home is associated with increased risk for domestic violence and suicide. Consistent with pre-pandemic trends, individuals tended to purchase firearms for self-protection during COVID-19. Prior work indicates that protective firearm ownership is motivated not only by perceptions that the world (and one’s local environment) is dangerous, but also by one’s endorsement of masculinity norms found in U.S. cultures of honor (primarily southern and western states). Honor-based masculinity norms emphasis reputation defense, toughness, and an absolute intolerance of disrespect. The present research examined the relative motivating influences of various threat perceptions and masculine honor endorsement in predicting reasons for non-COVID-19 firearm ownership, firearm purchasing during COVID-19, and purchase intentions. Three separate samples (total N = 2483) of mostly White U.S. men completed online surveys during different months of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed measures of their endorsement of masculine honor norms, factors associated with firearm purchasing (e.g., dangerous world beliefs, intolerance of uncertainty), and firearm purchasing behaviors. Results indicated that masculine honor endorsement was higher among (1) protective firearm owners compared to non-owners and non-protective owners, (2) firearm owners who purchased a firearm during COVID-19 compared to non-owners and non-purchasing owners, and (3) firearm owners with intentions to purchase firearms in the next year compared to those without intentions and undecided owners. Relative to other predictors (e.g., COVID-19 concerns, dangerous world beliefs), masculine honor endorsement was consistently the strongest predictor of these outcomes. Findings add to the literature by highlighting the strength of masculine honor endorsement in motivating (protective) firearm ownership. Implications for interpersonal violence and suicide are discussed.

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Vehicle Firearm Storage: Prevalence and Correlates in a Sample of Male Firearm Owners

Cited by 3 publications

References 29 publications

Assessment of Firearm Storage Practices in the US, 2022

Assessment of Firearm Storage Practices in the US, 2022

Examining whether method of suicide exposure and closeness to decedent relate to firearm storage practices

Honor Endorsement and Increased Firearm Purchasing Behavior and Intentions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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