BACKGROUND: Championed by media and politicians, gun buy-backs and gunlock give-aways have been criticized for their low impact in removing criminal guns from the streets. However, most gun deaths occur in the home and are not crime-related.
METHOD: Participants at a combination gun buy-back/gunlock give-away event were anonymously surveyed regarding gun acquisition, storage, access to children and reasons for participation in event.
RESULTS: Of the 137 respondents, 80 (58%) exchanged guns for gift certificates (“exchangers”) and 57 obtained gunlocks (“lockers”). 63% of exchangers and 73% of lockers reported owning their gun over 5 years. The majority (63%) of lockers purchased their gun(s) from a gun shop. Lockers were also more likely to be hunters or collectors (25%) and to keep their gun(s) for self/family protection (49%). Half of exchangers reported that they had been “given” the gun, and another 30% obtained it by “other” non-conventional means. 43% of exchangers claimed their primary motivation was the gift certificate, though 30% stated that the gun did not work. 47% of exchangers and 51% of lockers had children at home.
CONCLUSIONS: Four-fifths of exchangers obtained guns without a background check, and likely had no training in gun safety. Prior to the exchange, these guns posed a considerable threat of injury in their homes. The benefit of gun buy-backs and lock give-aways should be examined not solely for their effect on curbing crime and depleting the supply of “street guns”, but for their effect on removing and securing guns in the home.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss controversies and benefits of gun buy-backs. 2. Describe the differing profiles of persons who participate in gun buy-backs and gunlock give-aways. 3. Identify the risks of guns not considered to be "street guns." 4. Utilize survey results in planning community gun safety activities.
Keywords: Firearms, Community Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.