Firearm safety is a critical issue that affects individuals and communities across the United States. Recent research conducted by Rutgers Health researchers sheds light on the impact of social support on firearm behaviors. The study, published in Injury Prevention, explored how connections with family, friends, and partners influence the way individuals interact with firearms.
The researchers analyzed data from a 2024 nationally representative survey of over 8,000 adults, with a subset of 2,451 respondents reporting access to firearms. Using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, a widely used tool to measure individuals’ perception of support, the researchers examined the relationship between social support and firearm behaviors such as carrying firearms frequently and safe storage practices.
According to Daniel Semenza, the lead author of the study and director of research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, social connections can act as a buffer against risky firearm behaviors. Individuals who feel supported by their partners, families, or friends are less likely to engage in unsafe behaviors such as carrying firearms frequently or storing them unsafely.
The study found that increased social support was associated with lower odds of frequent firearm carrying and unsafe storage practices. Specifically, individuals with higher social support had a reduced likelihood of carrying firearms frequently and were more likely to store them securely, locked and separate from ammunition.
Semenza emphasized the importance of building and leveraging social support networks in public health efforts to prevent firearm injuries. When individuals feel connected to others, they tend to feel safer and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors with firearms.
The study’s co-authors, including researchers from Rutgers University and The University of Alabama at Birmingham, highlight the need to consider social support as a key factor in promoting firearm safety. By fostering strong relationships and support systems, communities can work together to reduce the incidence of firearm-related injuries and promote responsible firearm ownership.
For more information on the study, you can access the full article in Injury Prevention. The research underscores the importance of social support in shaping firearm behaviors and highlights the potential for community-based interventions to enhance firearm safety practices.
