Prevalence and Correlates of Firearm Ownership in the Homes of Fifth Graders: Birmingham, AL, Houston, TX, and Los Angeles, CA. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwebel, David C.; Lewis, Terri; Simon, Thomas R.; Elliott, Marc N.; Toomey, Sara L.; Tortolero, Susan R.; Cuccaro, Paula M.; Schuster, Mark A.
• Is Part Of: Health education & behavior. Volume 41:Number 3(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 299
• Page End: 306
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: firearms -- guns -- injury -- safety; Health education -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; 613.05
• DOI: 10.1177/1090198113512126
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-1981

Abstract

Firearms in the home are associated with increased injury risk, especially when loaded and unlocked. In this study, 5, 010 fifth-graders and their caregivers in three U.S. metropolitan areas participated in the 2004-2006 Healthy Passages study on adolescent health. Firearm ownership and storage patterns were examined by four self-reported sociodemographic characteristics (child's race/ethnicity, child's gender, family socioeconomic status, and study site) and reasons for ownership. Eighteen percent ( n = 880) of the families reported firearms in the home. Families with African American and Hispanic children had lower odds of owning firearms than families with non-Hispanic White children. The most common reasons for ownership were protection from crime and hunting. Six percent ( n = 56) of the families with firearms stored at least one firearm unlocked, assembled, without a trigger lock, and with unlocked ammunition. Compared with families with non-Hispanic White children, families with African American children engaged in safer storage practices. Results can inform childhood firearm injury prevention activities.