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- 43% of US households are not storing guns securely, study says (newsbreak.com)
Guns are the number one cause of death for American children and teenagers, with over 4,700 young lives lost to firearm-related incidents in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A significant number of these tragedies are accidents.
A recent CDC study highlights the alarming frequency of unsafe gun storage practices across various states. It found that nearly 43% of households store guns loaded, and among these, half do not use locked storage. This unsafe storage method increases the risk of children discovering and inadvertently discharging the firearms.
The comprehensive study surveyed households in eight states: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oklahoma, revealing a broad variance in the practice of secure gun storage. States like North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Nevada reported the highest percentages of households storing loaded guns.
Experts argue that adopting secure firearm storage practices could dramatically decrease the number of children affected by gun-related injuries and fatalities. Proper storage involves keeping firearms locked, unloaded, and with the ammunition stored separately.
Despite its simplicity, many families may not be aware of the secure storage options available, which include cable locks, lockboxes, trigger locks, and gun safes. These devices are readily available in major retail stores and online platforms.
Dr. Sandra McKay and Dr.
Eric Sigel, prominent figures in pediatric health and firearm injury prevention, stress the importance of reducing children’s access to firearms. They note that not only are too many children at risk, but also that if 20% of parents improved their firearm storage habits, up to 122 child fatalities and 201 injuries could be prevented each year.
The report discusses several secure storage devices such as cable locks, which prevent a gun from being loaded or fired; lockboxes for secure yet accessible single-gun storage; trigger locks, which prevent the trigger from being pulled; and gun safes or cabinets for storing multiple firearms securely. Prices and security levels vary, making it essential for families to choose the option that best suits their needs.
Dr. McKay also advises families to seek information about safe storage from various sources, including gun range officers, hunter safety training, gun shops, and law enforcement. Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of discussing firearm safety in a neutral tone with healthcare providers, relatives, and friends, much like other child safety topics.
This piece is contributed by Michelle March, MD, MPH, MEd, from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Sejal Parekh, MD, from the ABC News Medical Unit.
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- 43% of US households are not storing guns securely, study says (newsbreak.com)