Assessment of firearm storage practices in the US, 2022
Objective:
In this survey study with a weighted sample of 2152 adults, the results indicated that gun safes were the most frequently used device by the respondents. Believing locks are unnecessary, and concerns about access speed were the most frequent obstacles; concern about child access was the most common reason for considering locking unlocked firearms.
Method:
Firearm 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.
Principal Investigator (PI):
Michael D. Anestis PhD, Jayna Moceri-Brooks PhD, Rachel L. Johnson PhD, Craig J. Bryan PsyD ABPP, Ian H. Stanley PhD, Jessica T. Buck-Atkinson PhD, Justin C. Baker PhD ABPP, Marian E. Betz MD MPH