Gun storage patterns in US homes with children. A pediatric practice-based survey. Pediatric Practice Research Group.
Senturia YD., Christoffel KK., Donovan M.
OBJECTIVE: To describe gun storage patterns in gun-owning families with children. DESIGN: Survey of parents attending participating offices. SETTING: Twenty-nine urban, suburban, and rural pediatric practices in Chicago, Ill; New Jersey; Houston, Tex; Utah; Georgia; Iowa; and South Carolina. SUBJECTS: Parents of children attending offices for well- or sick-child care. SELECTION PROCEDURE: Consecutive sample of families seen during the 1-week study period. MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYSES: Logistic regression models were constructed to identify sociodemographic factors associated with keeping guns loaded. RESULTS: Of 5233 surveys, 1682 (32%) indicated ownership of at least one powder firearm. Of the gun-owning families, 61% reported at least one gun unlocked, and 15% reported at least one gun loaded. Rifles were more often stored unlocked (62% rifles vs 52% handguns, P