Gun purchasing behaviours during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, March to mid-July 2020. (3rd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crifasi, Cassandra K.; Ward, Julie A.; McGinty, Emma E.; Webster, Daniel W.; Barry, Colleen L.
• Is Part Of: International review of psychiatry. Volume 33:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 593
• Page End: 597
• Publication Date: 2021-10-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- firearms -- public opinion; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2021.1901669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0261

Abstract

Abstract: We sought to characterize gun and ammunition purchasing during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. We fielded a survey using NORC's Amerispeak Panel between 7 and 22 July 2020 (survey completion rate = 91.1%, N = 1337). We used survey-weighted data to calculate the proportion of adults who purchased a gun during this time period and types of guns and amount of ammunition purchased. Between March and mid-July 2020, 6% of adults purchased a gun and 9% bought ammunition. Of those purchasing a gun, 34% were first-time purchasers. Among those purchasing ammunition, 19% reported purchasing more than usual in response to the COVID-19 pandemic while 27% purchased less than usual. An estimated 6, 451, 163 adults bought guns for the first time between March and mid-July 2020. Increases in gun purchasing, particularly among first-time gun owners, could pose significant short- and long-term implications for public health.