Adverse childhood experiences and household firearm ownership: A large-scale analysis of specific risk factors among 15,771 adults from four U.S. states.

OBJECTIVE

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are important determinants of long-term health and behavior, but limited research has examined their association with household firearm ownership.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Virginia. ACEs and household firearm ownership were self-reported. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the associations.

RESULTS

This study included 15,771 participants, of whom 4739 (30.1%, unweighted) self-reported household firearm ownership. Compared with individuals reporting no ACEs, those with 1-2 types of ACEs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.39), 3-5 types of ACEs (aOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.46), and 6 or more types of ACEs (aOR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.65) had higher odds of household firearm ownership. Among specific types of ACEs, household illegal drug use (aOR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.66), household incarceration (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.59), and verbal abuse (aOR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.36) were each associated with increased likelihood of household firearm ownership.

CONCLUSIONS

In these four states, ACEs were positively associated with household firearm ownership, suggesting early-life adversity may shape firearm-related behaviors and highlight its relevance for public health interventions.