Citation

Brooks-Russell A, Runyan C, Betz ME, Tung G, Brandspigel S, Novins DK. Am. J. Public Health 2019; 109(2): 285-288.

Affiliation

Ashley Brooks-Russell, Carol Runyan, Greg Tung, and Sara Brandspigel are with the Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, and the Program for Injury Prevention, Education and Research, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora. Marian E. Betz is with the Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Program for Injury Prevention, Education and Research, Colorado School of Public Health. Douglas K. Novins is with the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2018.304802

PMID

30571301

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine the perceived benefits of and barriers to law enforcement agencies providing increased access to voluntary and temporary firearm storage.

METHODS: We surveyed 448 police chiefs and sheriffs in 8 US Mountain West states about firearm storage practices, benefits of and barriers to storage, and related attitudes and beliefs. Data collection occurred during the spring and summer of 2016.

RESULTS: Nearly three quarters of agencies reported that they are already providing storage and perceive relatively few barriers in doing so. Agency characteristics were not associated with current provision of firearm storage. Among the barriers identified included state laws, limited space, training needs, and community perceptions. Benefits of storage included being perceived positively by the community and supporting health care workers.

CONCLUSIONS: Engaging with law enforcement agencies in suicide prevention efforts and addressing their perceived barriers to providing temporary firearm storage have promise as part of a comprehensive suicide prevention approach. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print December 20, 2017: e1-e4. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304802).

Language: en