WSU faculty receive funding to further study of firearm safety practices in rural communities

Two Washington State University researchers are continuing their investigation of firearm safety practices in rural Washington state communities, thanks to a new $32,000 grant from the Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Foundation (GAGVF), a Seattle-based nonprofit.

Principal investigator Elizabeth Weybright and co-investigator Ashley Hall interviewed nearly 100 Washington State 4-H-enrolled adolescents, using the conversations to learn about firearms' cultural significance and storage practices within the youth's homes. Now they'll seek perspectives of the young participants' parents and guardians.

"Adults are often encouraged to store their firearms securely, but you don't hear as much about empowering youth to advocate for firearm safety," said Elizabeth Weybright, associate professor and adolescent Extension specialist in WSU's human development department. "The goal of this work is to stop preventable deaths, and the new funding will help us continue to move in that direction."

With firearms representing the leading cause of death among children and adolescents, the project comes at a crucial time. The findings will help WSU researchers determine the most effective ways to engage adolescents and encourage them to become involved in firearm storage decisions in their homes.

"There is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution for challenging and complex societal issues like this," said Ashley Hall, WSU Extension 4-H assistant professor. "The project and this grant can help us tailor effective prevention messaging, education, and tools for both parents and youth."

GAGVF was compelled to partner with Weybright and Hall after observing how the project's goals align with the nonprofit's own mission. Established in 2019, the organization works to end gun violence in communities by raising funds to support research that informs public health and safety policies.

"This project addresses an urgent need in rural communities," said Kay Beisse, chair of GAGVF's research committee. "We hope that its successful completion will inspire Dr. Weybright and her colleagues to develop a robust research agenda focused on protecting youth from firearm suicide, injury, and death. We also hope that this work will lead to the creation of programs that engage parents and youth in decision-making about how to store firearms safely."

As part of the next phase of their research, Weybright and Hall will ask parents and guardians if and how firearms and ammunition are stored securely within the home. The researchers will also ask about family norms and expectations, including whether parents require their children to receive training on how to safely engage with firearms.

"Perspectives and belief systems come from our environment, and parents and guardians tend to shape a lot of that," Hall said. "This research will uncover the difference between what parents think they're teaching their youth and what those youth are actually doing and saying."

The study will also examine how firearms factor into mental health crises. In rural U.S. communities, the predominant firearm-involved injury is death by suicide, with firearms now the leading method of suicide among all age groups in the country. Weybright and Hall will examine if and how study participants would modify their firearm storage practices during a mental health crisis. With the right research and tools, it's possible at least some firearm-involved suicides could be prevented.

"This project is vital for suicide prevention in youth," Hall said. "A lot of the current messaging around suicide prevention doesn't involve reducing access to lethal means of harm. If we really start to understand how people interact with firearms, we can create customized messaging that reduces the number of deaths."

As statewide coordinator for the 4-H Shooting Sports program, Hall has established relationships with adult and youth firearm users in rural communities. Because of those connections, she feels uniquely equipped for research on a topic that can often be divisive.

"I have the knowledge and experience as well as relationships with folks who participate in shooting sports, who own firearms, and who use them for recreation and hunting," Hall said. "This particular research is exciting and novel in that we're engaging with the firearms community in a way that is not accusatory. These participants can be our partners in success, and I hope they're willing and excited to do so."

Weybright agrees, adding that WSU Extension's wide-ranging connection to communities throughout the state has been helpful in establishing trust with participants.

"Part of my ability to work effectively in rural settings is because of Ashley," Weybright said. "The culture around firearms differs in those communities, and there's context that's important to capture when intervening to promote safety. Youth view Ashley as a trusted adult who has credibility and knowledge about firearms."

Looking ahead, Hall is especially hopeful for the opportunity to use the study and WSU's 4-H program as tools for informing meaningful and successful prevention programs that save lives.

"4-H is a space where we can naturally be engaged with firearms recreationally and talk about the scientific backing behind certain prevention programs," she said. "The 4-H clover is widely known and trusted. If we use some of this research to inform its programming, it will reach a very wide audience."