Characteristics Associated with Self-Reported Defensive Gun Use in a National Sample of US
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: The prevalence and societal impacts of defensive gun use (DGU; the use of a firearm to protect oneself, others, or property) are contested, but few studies have characterized the behavioral and psychological characteristics of people who report DGU. Therefore, we examined the demographic, firearm-related behaviors, mental health and substance use problems, antisocial behavior, and personality correlates of self-reported DGU. Methods: This study used data from the National Firearms, Alcohol, Cannabis, and Suicide (NFACS) survey, a probability-based sample of 7034 adults living in the US, that was fielded from May 27 to September 2, 2025. Lifetime DGU was stratified by a history of offensive gun use (OGU) and firearm ownership (current, former, never owner). Results: DGU was associated with higher rates of military service, having a job that required carrying a firearm, thoughts of shooting others and thoughts of firearm suicide, handling and firing a gun under the influence of alcohol or cannabis, and antisocial behavior relative to those who did not report DGU. Firearm ownership history–but not OGU–differentiated meaningful DGU subgroups. Current firearm owners who reported DGU had similar psychosocial functioning to those who did not report DGU, while former and never firearm owners reporting DGU had higher levels of mental health and substance use problems, antisocial behavior, and disinhibited personality traits. Conclusion: Self-reported DGU encompasses different people in terms of psychosocial functioning, and history of firearm ownership (current, former, never) may be indicative of different contexts for DGU. More information about incidents of DGU, firearm access, and developmental trajectories is needed to better understand influences that contribute to DGU.
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7208812153