Parent Communication and Decision Making About Firearm Storage

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Family Studies
• Criminology

Background:

• Accidental firearm discharge is a significant cause of pediatric injury and death in the US.
• Many children have access to unlocked firearms in their homes.
• Family discussions can improve firearm storage practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if joint decision-making by two parenting adults increases safe firearm storage (locked and unloaded).
• To examine if relationship functioning and communication styles influence parental involvement in firearm storage decisions.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey of 749 adults aged 18-64 in the US with firearms and children.
• Stratified random sampling using an area probability and address-based panel.
• Analysis of firearm storage practices and decision-making involvement.

Main Results:

• 62% of families reported storing firearms locked and unloaded.
• 55% of families had both parents highly involved in storage decisions.
• Joint decision-making was associated with 1.65 times higher odds of safe firearm storage.
• Avoidant communication decreased parental involvement (OR=0.16), while relationship satisfaction increased it (OR=1.08).

Conclusions:

• Involving both parents in firearm storage decisions is key to ensuring safe storage.
• Further research is needed to foster effective communication and decision-making within families regarding firearm safety.