Safety or Risk? Exploring Perceptions of Firearm-Related Risks Among Military Service Members and Civilian Employees...

Firearm suicide ranks among the leading causes of death in the U.S. military, with access to personal firearms significantly elevating the risk of firearm-related injuries and death. In this study, we analyzed perceived risks of firearm access and storage among active-duty military service members and embedded civilians with a firearm at home.

We conducted an anonymous online survey at a single military installation in the United States. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models across four firearm-related risk factors: suicide, others' suicide, interpersonal violence, and unintentional shootings.

Of the 324 participants, 50.5% reported a minimum of one firearm at the home. Respondents with a minimum of one firearm at home (vs. those without) were less likely to agree that there was a risk of suicide for themselves (6.0% vs. 16.6%) or others (7.8% vs. 21.8%), interpersonal violence (16.4% vs. 26.9%), or unintentional shootings (27.9% vs. 42.3%). After adjusting for age, gender, race, ethnicity, and living alone, respondents with a firearm at home (vs. those without) were significantly less likely to agree that firearm access increased the risk of suicide for themselves (odds ratio [OR]: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.40; p less than .001) or others (OR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.36; p less than .001), interpersonal violence (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.43; p less than .001), or unintentional shootings (OR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.38; p less than .001).

Our findings identify opportunities for strengthening messaging to help service members understand and acknowledge risks surrounding a firearm at home and promote secure firearm storage behaviors.