A study conducted by the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers suggests that some firearm owners may be hesitant to disclose their ownership. Researchers found that based on their responses to various questions, certain individuals appeared to be falsely denying firearm ownership when directly asked. These individuals don’t fit the typical stereotype of a firearm owner, as they include racial or ethnic minorities, females, and those living in urban environments. This highlights the changing landscape of firearm ownership in the United States.
Lead author of the study, Allison Bond, emphasizes the implications of individuals falsely denying firearm ownership. These individuals may not be receiving important messages related to secure firearm storage and firearm safety resources. This lack of awareness increases the risk of firearm injury and death.
The study involved surveying 3,500 English-speaking U.S. residents, asking about firearm ownership, demographic factors, and perceived threats. The findings indicate that a percentage of firearm owners may not feel comfortable disclosing their status, with many identified as potentially falsely denying firearm ownership being women living alone in urban areas.
Recent research shows a shift in firearm ownership trends, with an increasing number of female and minority individuals purchasing firearms since 2019. The study’s results highlight the importance of considering that our understanding of firearm ownership may be incomplete and our efforts to reach firearm owners may miss certain demographics.
Michael Anestis, senior author of the study, acknowledges that there are reasons why some firearm owners might feel uncomfortable disclosing their ownership. He emphasizes the need to ensure that messaging related to secure firearm storage resonates with a broader audience, including those who may not fit the stereotypical image of a firearm owner.
More information:
Allison Bond et al, Predicting potential underreporting of firearm ownership in a nationally representative sample, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02515-y. link.springer.com/article/10.1 … 7/s00127-023-02515-y
Provided by Rutgers University
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People are falsely denying firearm ownership, and it’s not who you might think (2023, June 23)
retrieved 23 June 2023
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