Peer-reviewed article
Caregiver-Perceived Appropriateness of Discussing Firearm Storage in the Healthcare Setting.
Sheline EK, Johnson RL, Wright-Kelly E, Haasz M ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines whether caregivers in Colorado think it is appropriate for healthcare providers to discuss firearm storage with them. Most caregivers (83%) said such discussions are at least sometimes appropriate, including those with unsecured firearms at home. Caregivers who had already received firearm safety counseling from a healthcare provider were much more likely to find future discussions appropriate. The findings suggest healthcare providers should talk more often with families about safely storing firearms to prevent child injuries and deaths.
Key points
- 82.7% of caregivers reported that healthcare provider discussions about firearm storage are at least sometimes appropriate
- Prior firearm counseling from a healthcare provider was strongly associated with perceived appropriateness (odds ratio 7.34)
- Even among caregivers with unlocked and loaded firearms at home (least secure storage), 72.5% found these discussions appropriate
- Firearms are identified as the leading cause of death for children in the US
- Secure firearm storage decreases morbidity and mortality in children
Limitations
This cross-sectional survey measures only caregiver perceptions of appropriateness, not actual healthcare provider behaviour or outcomes for children. The study cannot determine whether healthcare discussions actually lead to changes in firearm storage practices or reductions in child firearm injuries.
Abstract
Objective Firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the US - secure storage decreases morbidity and mortality. Though effective at improving storage, healthcare providers (HCPs) seldom discuss secure storage, partly due to concern that it will damage the caregiver-provider relationship. We sought to1) Describe caregiver-perceived appropriateness of HCP firearm storage counseling, and 2) Identify variables associated with perceived appropriateness. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from the 2025 Colorado Firearm Injury Prevention Survey (COFIPS), administered online in English and Spanish by Ipsos (June-July 2025). Adults with children <18 years old living, visiting, or staying in their home were eligible (herein caregivers). The primary outcome, perceived appropriateness of HCP discussing firearm storage, was dichotomized as "at least sometimes" versus "never" appropriate; responses of "unsure" were excluded. Weighted logistic regression models examined associations between perceived appropriateness and prior HCP firearm counseling, firearm access, storage practices, and beliefs. Poststratification weights were applied to produce state-representative estimates. Results Of 627 caregivers, 586 were included in the analysis. Overall, 82.7% (95% CI: 79.3-85.6%) reported discussions were at least sometimes appropriate. Prior firearm counseling during a healthcare visit was strongly associated with perceived appropriateness (OR 7.34, 95% CI: 2.73-19.74). Among caregivers reporting an unlocked and loaded firearm in the home (least secure storage), 72.5% found these discussions appropriate. Conclusions Most caregivers were receptive to HCP firearm storage counseling. Prior counseling was associated with increased receptivity, highlighting the benefit of repeated messaging. HCPs should consider capitalizing on clinical visits to discuss firearm safety.