Revisiting Firearms Training and Safety Operations in New Jersey

Objective:
The study explores the curriculums of firearm training courses in New Jersey. As an exploratory study, we 1) audit basic firearm training courses to determine what is being taught about state laws, licensing/permitting rules, firearm safety and storage options, mental health, and violence and accident prevention and 2) through self-reports, we collect the demographic, socioeconomic, and attitudinal patterns and behaviors of students attending these courses. The overall aim is to bridge the gap in knowledge by identifying potential areas where firearm instructors/trainers, criminal justice personnel, public health professionals, and the public can be of mutual benefit to one another.

Methods: According to the Small Arms Survey, there are more than 393 million firearms in circulation in the United States. While there is no federal mandate in the United States for firearms training for firearm acquisition or ownership, given the salience of firearm related injuries and deaths nationwide, most firearm experts stress the importance of training before the acquisition and use of firearms. Yet, there exists little empirical evidence on the effectiveness and content of training courses. The current study explores the curriculums of firearm training courses in New Jersey.

Results: As an exploratory study, we audit basic firearm training courses to determine what is being taught about state laws, licensing and permitting rules, firearm safety and storage options, mental health, and violence and accident prevention in these courses. Additionally, through self-reports, we examine “gun culture” by identifying demographic and socioeconomic correlates of firearm use as well as methods of, and reasons for, firearm acquisitions.

Conclusions: The overall aim of this study is to bridge the gap in knowledge by identifying potential areas where firearm instructors/trainers, criminal justice personnel, public health professionals, and the public can be of mutual benefit to one another.

Project Status: Completed

Principal Investigator (PI):
Michael Ostermann; Bernadette Hohl

Trainee(s):
Sadaf Hashimi; Jordan Costa