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Safety or Risk? Exploring Perceptions of Firearm-Related Risks Among Military Service Members and Civilian Employees at a Military Installation.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Firearm suicide ranks among the leading causes of death in the U.S. military, with access to personal firearms significantly elevating the risk of firearm-related injuries and death. In this study, we analyzed perceived risks of firearm access and storage among active-duty military service members and embedded civilians with a firearm at home. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous online survey at a single military installation in the United States. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models across four firearm-related risk factors: suicide, others' suicide, interpersonal violence, and unintentional shootings. RESULTS: Of the 324 participants, 50.5% reported a minimum of one firearm at the home. Respondents with a minimum of one firearm at home (vs. those without) were less likely to agree that there was a risk of suicide for themselves (6.0% vs. 16.6%) or others (7.8% vs. 21.8%), interpersonal violence (16.4% vs. 26.9%), or unintentional shootings (27.9% vs. 42.3%). After adjusting for age, gender, race, ethnicity, and living alone, respondents with a firearm at home (vs. those without) were significantly less likely to agree that firearm access increased the risk of suicide for themselves (odds ratio [OR]: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.40; p less than .001) or others (OR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.36; p less than .001), interpersonal violence (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.43; p less than .001), or unintentional shootings (OR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.38; p less than .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identify opportunities for strengthening messaging to help service members understand and acknowledge risks surrounding a firearm at home and promote secure firearm storage behaviors.

Source: PubMed