Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

3-27-2026

Journal

Injury Prevention

DOI

10.1136/ip-2024-045468

PMID

39578054

Abstract

Background: Firearm secure storage (ie, storing firearms unloaded and locked) is recommended to reduce unintentional injuries and suicides. However, the relationship between psychological states, such as social isolation, and firearm secure storage practices is under-researched.

Methods: Data are from 7136 individuals with firearms in their households from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Multinomial logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between social isolation and firearm storage.

Results: Among respondents, 71.6% reported storing firearms unloaded, 14.2% stored firearms loaded and locked and 14.2% stored firearms loaded and unlocked. Most respondents reported feeling 'never' (40.7%) or 'rarely' (33.3%) socially isolated, with 18.7% reporting 'sometimes', 4.3% 'usually' and 3.0% 'always' feeling socially isolated. Covariate-adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that respondents who felt 'always' socially isolated had an over threefold greater risk of storing firearms loaded and unlocked (relative risk ratio=3.733, 95% CI 1.443 to 9.662, p=0.007) compared with unloaded.

Conclusion: Results suggest a link between feelings of social isolation and unsecured firearm storage. Public health strategies should address both firearm safety education and the underlying issue of social isolation.

Keywords

Humans, Social Isolation, Firearms, Male, Female, Adult, United States, Middle Aged, Wounds, Gunshot, Young Adult, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Adolescent, Logistic Models, Cross Sectional Study, Descriptive Epidemiology, Firearm, Psychological

Published Open-Access

yes

Download

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.