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Unsupervised firearm handling by California adolescents
1Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. mmiller@hsph@harvard.edu
Summary
One third of adolescents have handled a gun, with 5% reporting unsupervised firearm access. This behavior is linked to other risks and often involves shooting with friends away from home.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Firearm Safety
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited understanding exists regarding adolescent firearm handling behaviors.
- Investigating unsupervised gun access among youth is crucial for public health and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of adolescents handling firearms without adult supervision.
- To identify factors associated with unsupervised gun handling in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 5801 California adolescents using random digit dial interviews.
- Data collected on ever handling a gun and unsupervised handling incidents.
- Analysis included demographic and risk behavior variables.
Main Results:
- 33% of adolescents reported handling a firearm; 5% handled guns without adult supervision.
- Unsupervised handling frequently involved shooting (49%) and occurred away from home (89%).
- Male gender, minority status, rural residence, risk behaviors, and gun presence at home were associated with unsupervised handling.
Conclusions:
- Unsupervised firearm handling among adolescents is associated with other health risk behaviors.
- This behavior typically involves shooting and occurs with peers outside the home environment.
- Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to prevent unsupervised gun access and related risks.