PTSD symptoms and firearm storage practices among adults in the United States: Examining trauma history subgroups

Greater posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms-particularly hyperarousal symptoms (e.g., being "on guard")-are associated with an increased odds of non-secure firearm storage (e.g., loaded, unlocked), which may increase suicide risk. Research has not examined this association within trauma exposure subgroups-namely, victimization (e.g., physical/sexual assault) or accident/injury (e.g., motor vehicle accident, natural disaster). Victimization traumas may be more likely to prompt concerns regarding interpersonal safety, thereby shaping decisions around secure storage practices. This was a cross-sectional online survey of 850 U.S. adults (18+). We used the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5; range: 0-80) to assess lifetime traumatic experiences and PTSD symptoms, respectively. We used logistic regression to assess the relationship between PTSD symptoms and firearm ownership/storage practices, adjusted for gender. Overall, 30.5% (n = 259) reported firearm ownership. The sample's mean PCL-5 score was 17.2 (SD = 17.4). Half of participants had lifetime trauma victimization (51.9%; n = 441); among these individuals, PTSD total and hyperarousal symptoms were associated with an increased odds of storing firearms loaded. Among those with accident/injury histories only (33.3%; n = 283), there were no significant associations between PTSD symptoms and firearm storage practices. Effect sizes were small, and future work is needed among individuals diagnosed with PTSD. Lethal means safety counseling for secure firearm storage may require a trauma-informed lens.