Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Why some parents made firearms more accessible during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a national study.
Sokol, Rebeccah L; Marineau, Lea; Zimmerman, Marc A; Rupp, Laney A; Cunningham, Rebecca M; Carter, Patrick M.
  • Sokol RL; School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA. rlsokol@wayne.edu.
  • Marineau L; School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, 525 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
  • Zimmerman MA; Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA.
  • Rupp LA; University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC 10-G080, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
  • Cunningham RM; Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA.
  • Carter PM; Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA.
J Behav Med ; 44(6): 867-873, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1321781
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to assess parents' firearm storage behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and characterize reasons why some parents made their firearms more accessible during this time. In June-July 2020, the study team conducted the FACTS National Survey-a cross-sectional, web-based, survey of 2,924 parents and their teens (ages14-18) regarding firearm-related practices. We weighted descriptive analyses to be nationally representative of parents of teens in the United States. We utilized qualitative thematic analysis to identify parents' reasons for making firearms more accessible. Five percent of firearm-owning parents of teens reported making their firearms more accessible during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reasons why parents increased the ease of firearm access included (1) Increased civil unrest and riots; (2) Threat of home invasion and/or crime victimization; (3) Fear of panic and the unknown; and (4) Easier access and greater protection, threat unspecified. Some parents-largely motivated by fear-chose to store firearms in a more accessible manner during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to protect their family against possible external threats. Understanding the fear that motivates parents' decisions regarding storage practices might aid interventions focused on harm reduction and safer storage.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Firearms / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Behav Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S10865-021-00243-9

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Firearms / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Behav Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S10865-021-00243-9