Regional differences in firearm ownership, storage and use: results from a representative survey of five US states.

BACKGROUND: Firearm access and storage practices influence risk for injury and death; however, prior research has considered only national and regional differences on these variables, overlooking state-level differences.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse and describe statewide differences in firearm ownership, storage and use in a representative sample of five US states.

DESIGN: Variables were assessed via an online self-report survey administered between 29 April 2022 and 15 May 2022.

SETTING: Surveys were completed online.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants (n=3510) were members of knowledge panel, a probability-based sample recruited to be representative of US adults. All participants were aged 18+ and resided in one of five states: Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey or Texas.

MEASUREMENTS: We used χ2 tests to examine state differences in firearm ownership, childhood firearm experiences and purchasing. A series of analyses of covariance were then used to assess differences in firearm storage, firearms owned and carrying behaviours while adjusting for pertinent demographic characteristics.

RESULTS: We found significant differences in firearm ownership across states. There were significantly more first-time firearm purchasers during the firearm purchasing surge in New Jersey. Both Mississippi and Texas have elevated rates of unsecure storage practices and firearm carrying outside of the home.

LIMITATIONS: Results are cross-sectional and self-report. Findings may not generalise beyond the five states assessed in this survey.

CONCLUSIONS: Public health messaging around firearm safety should account for differences in key firearm behaviours related to ownership, storage and use to ensure effective communication and reduce the risk of gun injury and death across states.