Firearm experiences and safe storage challenges among a sample of Black adults: a rapid qualitative analysis

Firearms are a leading cause of death among Black adults in the U.S., accounting for more than 300,000 years of potential life lost in each of the past five years. Firearms are particularly challenging for suicide prevention in Black American communities. Few recent studies have been dedicated to investigating firearm ownership and safety challenges among Black adults. Without this understanding, promising interventions such as safe storage programs and lethal means counseling may inadequately address the specific challenges and motivations relevant to Black firearm owners. Our objective was to gather feedback from Black adults with access to firearms in their homes on their (1) experience with firearms (2), rationale for firearms being in their homes, and (3) perceived challenges or barriers to safely storing firearms in their homes.

This study involved semi-structured interviews and rapid qualitative analysis. 15 Black adults ages 18 years and older in the U.S. who had access to firearms in their homes participated. We developed a Transcript Summary Template to deductively condense all relevant information for three topics. Matrix analysis techniques were used to identify emerging key concepts in the responses to each topic.

The participants' relationships with firearms appeared to be shaped by family traditions, vulnerability, and safety concerns that sometimes extended across generations. Participants described various pathways to firearm access, from childhood introductions through parents who viewed firearms as necessary protection against racial threats, to adult acquisition motivated by experiences of violence, discrimination, or a hobby. Key challenges to household firearm storage safety emerged: limited access to firearm safety knowledge and training in Black communities, the financial and time costs associated with safe firearm storage, and concerns about children gaining access to firearms and the importance of communicating with children about firearms in the home.

This study provides new insights into factors shaping firearm ownership and perceived challenges to safe firearm storage among a sample of Black adults in the U.S. Our findings may help inform community-driven and clinician-focused initiatives that acknowledge the context of Black firearm ownership while promoting evidence-based safety practices.