The Impact of Firearm Ownership, Violence, and Policies on Mental Health: A Systematic Scoping Review

Increased firearm accessibility and related violence have generated global debate concerning public gun policies. Although the physical dangers associated with firearms are widely acknowledged, the psychological effects of firearm use and accessibility require greater exploration. We evaluate the influences of gun ownership, violence, and policies on mental health outcomes across different populations.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycInfo, yielding 467 studies. A scoping review was then performed to thematically categorize and analyze the associations between gun access and aggressive behavior, substance abuse, societal violence, and mental health outcomes.

Our findings identify three fundamental psychological mechanisms through which firearms affect mental health: (1) as enablers of impulsive action during distress; (2) as amplifiers of existing psychological states (e.g., aggression, fear, trauma); (3) and as symbols that transform power dynamics and vulnerability perceptions. Specifically, permissive gun policies and firearm ownership are linked to higher rates of firearm-related suicides and aggressive behavior. Exposure to gun violence significantly exacerbates psychological distress, especially among vulnerable populations, and its effects persist long after direct exposure.

This review highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies that address firearm accessibility, promote mental health interventions, and address the social determinants of firearm-related harm. Such an integrated public health approach addressing these individual and societal factors is essential for mitigating the complex psychological pathways through which firearms affect mental health across populations.