Salience of social support for firearm carrying and storage in the USA

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

BACKGROUND: Firearm behaviours, including public carrying and storage practices, are significant correlates of firearm-related injuries and fatalities. While research has explored demographic, attitudinal and experiential predictors of these behaviours, the influence of social support remains underexamined. METHODS: This study investigates the relationship between social support and firearm behaviours, using data from a nationally representative survey of 8009 US adults, of whom 2541 reported access to firearms. RESULTS: Findings demonstrate that higher levels of total social support were associated with decreased odds of frequent firearm carrying (OR=0.92, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99) and unsafe firearm storage practices, such as storing firearms loaded and unlocked (OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.95). Increased social support was positively associated with secure firearm storage behaviours, including the use of locking devices and separate ammunition storage. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the role of social connections in shaping firearm behaviours, with implications for targeted public health interventions aimed at promoting safe storage and reducing firearm-related risks.