Functional limitations and firearm purchases among low-income U.S. military veterans

Functional limitations may be associated with firearm ownership among veterans by amplifying perceptions of vulnerability and the need for security, yet their role remains underexplored despite emerging research on health-related factors influencing firearm acquisition in this group. This study examines the relationship between the number of functional limitations and recent firearm purchasing among a sample of low-income US military veterans.

Data are from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study, which surveyed US veterans in households under 300% of the US federal poverty level. The survey was conducted in December 2022 and January 2023 (n = 1,008). Functional limitations were assessed based on self-reported assistance needed in daily tasks. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between functional limitations and firearm purchases in the past year, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Analyses were conducted in Stata v. 18, and statistical significance was determined at the p < 0.05 threshold.

5.5% of respondents reported purchasing a firearm in the past year. Increased functional limitations were positively associated with recent firearm purchases (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.14, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.03, 1.26). Sensitivity using Firth Logit for rare events confirmed the robustness of this finding.

Veterans experiencing a greater number of functional limitations are more likely to report recently purchasing a firearm. These findings underscore the importance of addressing health needs among firearm-owning veterans through VA programs that support disabled veterans and their caregivers.