ABSTRACT
Objective
To examine characteristics associated with US adults favoring storing firearms unlocked to ensure quick access in an emergency, even if doing so increases the risk for suicide.
Method
A total of 2963 adults with home firearm access were drawn from a nationally representative sample of US adults (n = 7521). Participants were members of a probability-based panel and completed a self-report survey between June 24 and July 10, 2025.
Results
Being female (OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.69–0.99), children in the home (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.33–0.50), trust in the government for protection (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.82–0.97), and beliefs that home firearm access increases suicide risk (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.59–0.75) were associated with lower odds of endorsing firearms should be stored unlocked. Loaded and unlocked storage (OR = 5.90; 95% CI = 4.88–7.15), frequent firearm carrying (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.01–1.15), and belief that firearms are essential for protection (OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.27–1.54) were associated with greater odds of endorsing firearms should be stored unlocked.
Conclusions
The results could mean those who feel responsible for protecting loved ones and believe firearms are essential for that task are more likely to endorse favoring unlocked firearm storage, even if they believe this will increase suicide risk.