Citation

Grossman DC, Stafford HA, Koepsell TD, Hill R, Retzer KD, Jones W. Am. J. Public Health 2012; 102(Suppl 2): S291-S297.

Affiliation

David C. Grossman is with Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA. Helen Andon Stafford is with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage. Thomas D. Koepsell is with the Departments of Epidemiology and Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle. At the time of the study, Ryan Hill was with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Kyla D. Retzer was with the Yukon Kuskokwim Native Health Corporation, Bethel, AK. Ward Jones is with the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation, Dillingham, AK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2011.300421

PMID

22401514

Abstract

Objectives. We determined if the installation of gun cabinets improved household firearm storage practices. Methods. We used a wait list, randomized trial design with 2 groups. The "early" group received the intervention at baseline, and the "late" group received it at 12 months. Up to 2 gun cabinets were installed in each enrolled home, along with safety messages. In-person surveys were conducted at 12 and 18 months to determine the proportion of households reporting unlocked guns or ammunition. Direct observations of unlocked guns were also compared. Results. At baseline, 93% of homes reported having at least 1 unlocked gun in the home, and 89% reported unlocked ammunition. At 12 months, 35% of homes in the early group reported unlocked guns compared with 89% in the late group (P < .001). Thirty-six percent of the early homes reported unlocked ammunition compared with 84% of late homes (P < .001). The prevalence of these storage practices was maintained at 18 months. Observations of unlocked guns decreased significantly (from 20% to 8%) between groups (P < .03). Conclusions. Gun cabinet installation in rural Alaskan households improved the storage of guns and ammunition. If these gains are sustained over time, it may lead to a reduction in gun-related injuries and deaths in this population. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print March 8, 2012: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300421).

Language: en