Inform your reporting on gun ownership with the ‘Missouri Firearms Survey’

The Missouri Foundation for Health published results in March from a wide-ranging survey of more than 1,000 Missouri adults on their general firearm and firearm suicide beliefs and practices, perceptions of gun storage in the home, and attitudes toward background checks and training.

"These reports present key findings from the survey, which can serve as a basis for designing evidence-based firearm injury prevention strategies that resonate with individuals who both own and do not own firearms," the summary report of the "Missouri Firearms Survey" says.

In the survey, conducted during the summer of 2020, half of respondents said they had at least one firearm at home that was unlocked and loaded; over 60% said they grew up in a home with guns. The majority of the firearm owners were white men who lived in a rural or suburban area and had received formal firearm training.

"Moreover, the reports underscore the significance of demographic and community-level differences in firearm-related beliefs and behaviors, highlighting the need for equitable and tailored firearm injury prevention efforts that effectively address the needs of diverse populations," the report reads.

Why these findings matter

A constant frustration and roadblock for reporting on firearm violence is good and thorough data. These findings provide a detailed picture of the attitudes and beliefs of both firearm owners and nonowners.

While this survey was conducted at one moment in time and covers only Missouri, it's a useful snapshot to know how informed people are on firearms, the risks associated with owning them and the motivations behind gun ownership.

Also, this information can aid prevention efforts because it shows where more education and training are needed, especially around firearm suicide and safe storage practices.

Survey responses

There were some variations in responses depending on the type of firearm someone owned. Roughly 80% of the handgun owners surveyed said they owned their weapons to protect themselves from others, while most long gun owners said they mainly owned their firearms for hunting. Approximately 97% of handgun owners and 75% of long gun owners said their primary reason for owning a gun was for protection against violence in their neighborhoods.

The survey also asked about firearm suicide, which makes up the majority of gun deaths in Missouri and nationwide. Nearly 90% of gun owners and three-fourths of non-gun owners said having a firearm in the home doesn't increase the risk of firearm suicide. Many studies have found that owning or easily accessing a gun puts someone at a greater risk of attempting suicide.

Though most owners and nonowners said they are open to discussing firearm safety with a health care provider if they or someone they know is struggling. Approximately 75% of respondents said they would make a gun inaccessible to a family member if they were suicidal.

Firearms in Missouri households are often stored unlocked and loaded, the survey found - 53% of handgun owners and 49% long gun owners store at least one firearm unlocked and loaded.

Only one out of five people had received suicide prevention training. However, some groups had received more formal training on firearm suicide prevention compared to their counterparts.

Those groups included men, whites, veterans, people who grew up with a gun at home, residents of rural areas and young people ages 18 and 19.

The survey's report on suicide dovetails with its findings on safe storage perceptions and practices.

Risk and benefit perceptions

The vast majority of both firearm owners and nonowners agreed that a gun in the home makes it a safer place. Less than 40% of gun owners said a firearm should be stored locked and unloaded, but only 43% who agreed with that statement practice safe storage themselves.

"Firearm injury prevention programs need to identify ways to promote beliefs and practices that minimize the risks of having a firearm in the home while acknowledging firearm owners' motivations for self-protection," the report reads.

"Research is needed to understand the risk and benefit perceptions of firearm owners to address misconceptions and introduce alternative perspectives concerning the risks and benefits of firearm ownership at home."

Overall, slightly more women were surveyed than men, 47.9% and 52.1%, respectively. About 80% were white, over 30% were 60 or older and most lived in rural and suburban areas at 42.1% and 29.1%, respectively. Nearly every person surveyed had completed high school.

Resources

• The Missouri Foundation for Health is an excellent resource. Firearm violence injury and death prevention is one of their main focus areas and they fund several efforts around the issue.
• Safer Homes Collaborative employs a credible messenger model when talking about firearm suicide prevention and safe gun storage. It's a joint effort based in Missouri between firearm owners and suicide prevention advocates to raise awareness that suicide can be prevented through safe firearm storage.
• The National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research supports rigorous research that broadens agreement on the facts associated with gun policy and promotes the development of fair and effective policies on preventing gun violence.