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Factors Associated With Prioritizing Quick Firearm Access Over Suicide Prevention Among US Adults
Michael D Anestis1,2, Allison E Bond1,2
1New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.
Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior
|July 29, 2026
Summary
US adults who feel responsible for protection and believe firearms are essential are more likely to store guns unlocked. This preference persists even when aware of increased suicide risk.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Firearm Safety
Background:
- Quick firearm access for emergencies is a concern for some US adults.
- This preference may conflict with suicide risk mitigation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics of US adults who favor storing firearms unlocked for quick access.
- To understand the factors influencing this storage preference, despite potential suicide risks.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a nationally representative sample of 2963 US adults with home firearm access.
- Data collected via self-report survey between June 24 and July 10, 2025.
Main Results:
- Factors associated with lower odds of favoring unlocked storage include being female, having children, trusting government protection, and believing firearms increase suicide risk.
- Factors associated with greater odds of favoring unlocked storage include loaded/unlocked storage, frequent firearm carrying, and belief in firearms' essentiality for protection.
Conclusions:
- Individuals prioritizing protection and viewing firearms as essential are more prone to favor unlocked storage.
- This preference for immediate access may outweigh perceived suicide risks for some individuals.
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