Table 2 Firearm ownership, handling, and storage by ownership status
Firearm owner (N = 696) (%) | Firearm non-owner* (N = 326) (%) | Overall (N = 1022) (%) | p value** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
I handle the firearm(s): | < 0.001 | |||
At least once a week | 24.9 | 2.8 | 17.8 | |
At least once a month | 28.2 | 6.4 | 21.2 | |
Less than once a month but at least once a year | 28.0 | 16.6 | 24.4 | |
Less than once a year, but I have handled the firearm(s) | 15.8 | 31.0 | 20.6 | |
I have never handled the firearm(s) | 2.2 | 39.6 | 14.1 | |
I prefer not to answer | 1.0 | 3.7 | 1.9 | |
Household member(s) who own at least one firearm (select all that apply) | ||||
Myself | 87.4 | 0.0 | 59.5 | < 0.001 |
Spouse or partner | 29.3 | 61.0 | 39.4 | < 0.001 |
Another family member | 6.9 | 31.3 | 14.7 | < 0.001 |
Roommate/friend | 3.6 | 8.3 | 5.1 | 0.002 |
Other | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | |
Prefer not to answer | 0.6 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 0.003 |
Has anyone in your household stored a firearm away from the home/car/garage in the last five years | < 0.001 | |||
Yes | 32.0 | 17.2 | 27.3 | |
No | 66.7 | 66.3 | 66.5 | |
Don't know | 0.1 | 16.6 | 5.4 | |
Where were the firearms stored? (select all that apply) | ||||
Friend or neighbor home | 20.6 | 10.7 | 18.6 | |
Family member home | 39.0 | 39.3 | 39.1 | |
Firearm retailer | 22.0 | 7.1 | 19.0 | 0.012 |
Shooting range | 16.6 | 14.3 | 16.1 | |
Law enforcement agency | 8.1 | 5.4 | 7.5 | |
Military police or armory | 4.0 | 0.0 | 3.2 | |
Pawn shop | 6.7 | 1.8 | 5.7 | |
Self-storage facility | 38.1 | 25.0 | 35.5 | |
Other | 5.8 | 10.7 | 6.8 | |
Don't know | 0.0 | 8.9 | 1.8 | < 0.001 |
What were the circumstances? (select all that apply) | ||||
Travel out of town for an extended period | 49.3 | 26.8 | 44.8 | 0.003 |
Buying, selling or renting home | 20.6 | 12.5 | 19.0 | |
Having young children in the home | 22.9 | 17.9 | 21.9 | |
Having teenagers in the home | 13.0 | 7.1 | 11.8 | |
Having older adults with dementia or other memory problems in the home | 9.0 | 1.8 | 7.5 | |
Having someone with concerning mental health or substance use in the home | 12.1 | 10.7 | 11.8 | |
Individual who is prohibited from having access to firearms is living or staying in the home | 9.4 | 7.1 | 9.0 | |
Divorce or separation | 4.9 | 0.0 | 3.9 | |
Military deployment | 3.6 | 8.9 | 4.7 | |
For a relative who passed away | 4.9 | 8.9 | 5.7 | |
During substance use, medical or mental health treatment of a household member | 5.4 | 1.8 | 4.7 | |
Court order | 3.1 | 1.8 | 2.9 | |
Other | 5.4 | 14.3 | 7.2 | |
Prefer not to answer | 3.1 | 7.1 | 3.9 |