The paradox of experience: firearm access, beliefs about risk, and storage behaviors among those exposed to firearm suicide.

OBJECTIVE

The presence of a firearm in the home increases suicide risk, and risk is greater when firearms are stored unsecured. Thousands of people are exposed to firearm suicides each year. Little is known about whether having access to a firearm is associated with knowing someone personally who died by firearm suicide; and how knowing someone personally who died by firearm suicide impacts beliefs of firearm suicide risk and firearm storage practices.

METHODS

Data (N = 7810) were obtained through Ipsos Knowledge Panels using probability-based sampling and weighted to reflect the U.S.

RESULTS

Over a quarter (27.8%) of participants reported knowing someone who had died by firearm suicide. Knowing someone who died by firearm suicide was associated with increased odds of firearm access, an increased belief that firearms are associated with risk, and increased odds of engaging in unsecure firearm storage.

CONCLUSION

Secure firearm storage is associated with knowing someone who died by firearm suicide. Firearm owners who keep at least one firearm unlocked and loaded were more likely to know someone who died by firearm suicide. Interventions beyond awareness of knowing someone who died by firearm suicide may be critical to promoting safer practices.