Study examines factors influencing US adults' preference for unlocked firearms despite suicide risks, highlighting important behavioral insights.
Key Points
This study aims to identify traits associated with US adults prioritizing quick firearm access over suicide prevention efforts.
Surveyed 2963 US adults with home firearm access from a national representative sample (n=7521).
Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing beliefs regarding firearm storage from June 24 to July 10, 2025.
Females, presence of children, trust in government protection, and beliefs about suicide risk were linked to lower odds of endorsing unlocked storage (all OR <1).
Loaded and unlocked storage, frequent firearm carrying, and belief in firearms for protection were associated with higher odds of endorsing unlocked storage (all OR >1).