Material hardship and secure firearm storage: findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor Surveillance System
Abstract Background Firearm secure storage is an important public health practice due to its potential impact on reducing the incidence of accidental injuries, suicides, and thefts. Yet, there is limited research on how economic conditions might shape firearm storage patterns. Methods This study exp...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Injury Epidemiology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-024-00549-7 |
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| _version_ | 1850101847948263424 |
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| author | Alexander Testa Mike Henson-Garcia Dylan B. Jackson Karyn Fu Kyle T. Ganson Jason M. Nagata |
| author_facet | Alexander Testa Mike Henson-Garcia Dylan B. Jackson Karyn Fu Kyle T. Ganson Jason M. Nagata |
| author_sort | Alexander Testa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Firearm secure storage is an important public health practice due to its potential impact on reducing the incidence of accidental injuries, suicides, and thefts. Yet, there is limited research on how economic conditions might shape firearm storage patterns. Methods This study explores the relationship between material hardship and firearm secure storage among firearm-owning households. Data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed, including responses from 7,197 firearm-owning adults in California, Minnesota, Nevada, and New Mexico. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed the relationship between levels of material hardship and storage practices, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Results Among respondents, 14.3% reported firearms were stored, loaded and unlocked. Compared to respondents experiencing no hardships, those experiencing three or more material hardships incurred a 183% higher risk of storing firearms in an unsecured manner (Relative Risk Ratio = 2.828, 95% CI = 1.286, 6.220). Conclusion This study highlights an association between greater material hardship and unsecured firearm storage. These findings emphasize the need for public health interventions that address economic barriers to safe firearm storage, potentially reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths among individuals experiencing material hardship. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4abfff6d0c7f4bcd9b8a11bf3b9c9a97 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2197-1714 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Injury Epidemiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-4abfff6d0c7f4bcd9b8a11bf3b9c9a972025-08-20T02:39:54ZengBMCInjury Epidemiology2197-17142024-12-011111710.1186/s40621-024-00549-7Material hardship and secure firearm storage: findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor Surveillance SystemAlexander Testa0Mike Henson-Garcia1Dylan B. Jackson2Karyn Fu3Kyle T. Ganson4Jason M. Nagata5Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonDepartment of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthRice UniversityFactor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of TorontoDepartment of Pediatrics, University of California San FranciscoAbstract Background Firearm secure storage is an important public health practice due to its potential impact on reducing the incidence of accidental injuries, suicides, and thefts. Yet, there is limited research on how economic conditions might shape firearm storage patterns. Methods This study explores the relationship between material hardship and firearm secure storage among firearm-owning households. Data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed, including responses from 7,197 firearm-owning adults in California, Minnesota, Nevada, and New Mexico. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed the relationship between levels of material hardship and storage practices, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Results Among respondents, 14.3% reported firearms were stored, loaded and unlocked. Compared to respondents experiencing no hardships, those experiencing three or more material hardships incurred a 183% higher risk of storing firearms in an unsecured manner (Relative Risk Ratio = 2.828, 95% CI = 1.286, 6.220). Conclusion This study highlights an association between greater material hardship and unsecured firearm storage. These findings emphasize the need for public health interventions that address economic barriers to safe firearm storage, potentially reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths among individuals experiencing material hardship.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-024-00549-7FirearmsFirearm Secure StorageMaterial hardshipPovertyPublic HealthBRFSS |
| spellingShingle | Alexander Testa Mike Henson-Garcia Dylan B. Jackson Karyn Fu Kyle T. Ganson Jason M. Nagata Material hardship and secure firearm storage: findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor Surveillance System Injury Epidemiology Firearms Firearm Secure Storage Material hardship Poverty Public Health BRFSS |
| title | Material hardship and secure firearm storage: findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor Surveillance System |
| title_full | Material hardship and secure firearm storage: findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor Surveillance System |
| title_fullStr | Material hardship and secure firearm storage: findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor Surveillance System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Material hardship and secure firearm storage: findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor Surveillance System |
| title_short | Material hardship and secure firearm storage: findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor Surveillance System |
| title_sort | material hardship and secure firearm storage findings from the 2022 behavioral risk factor surveillance system |
| topic | Firearms Firearm Secure Storage Material hardship Poverty Public Health BRFSS |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-024-00549-7 |
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