Store Safely: A firearm injury prevention strategy for rural families

Firearms are the leading cause of death for youth in the US. Safe firearm storage is an evidence-based risk reduction technique, yet many families with children maintain unsecured firearms. In rural areas where gun ownership is common and rates of firearm-related suicides are increasing, developing culturally acceptable and feasible safe storage prevention strategies may have promise for reducing morbidity and mortality. This pilot study used a community-based participatory approach to develop a culturally tailored multi-component online safe storage preventive intervention called Store Safely. Participants were 45 rural firearm owning parents representing 45 unique families (35% male, 65% female, M age = 37.88, SD = 6.14) who had at least one child living at home. Acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary impact on firearm storage behaviors were measured via pre-test and post-test self-report surveys. Of the 43 parents (43 families) retained at follow-up, 97.7% completed the intervention and 86% utilized a home safety checklist. 40% of participants reported improving their storage, offering examples such as purchasing gun locks, safes, or lockboxes; separating ammunition from weapons; reviewing or discussing the safety of current storage; and relocating firearms to reduce child access. 84% found the website culturally sensitive and would recommend the materials to other parents. This firearm safe storage preventive intervention, developed in partnership with a rural community and tailored to reflect community norms and values, was associated with high levels of parental acceptability, engagement, and behaviors in support of safe firearm storage, suggesting its promise as a firearm injury prevention strategy.