Evaluation of a community-based handgun safe-storage campaign

Author: Sidman, E. A. / Grossman, D. C. / Koepsell, T. D. / D'Ambrosio, L. / Britt, J. / Simpson, E. S. / Rivara, F. P. / Bergman, A. B.
Publication: Pediatrics
Link to Published Abstract
Topics: Education/Counseling Local Storage
Keywords: Accident Prevention Safety Storage Washington Wounds
Bibliographic information +

The purpose of this article was to evaluation a King County, Washington-based public education campaign (1997-98) that promoted safe storage of firearms (i.e., keeping firearms unloaded and locked up), particularly to adults with children and who keep handguns in their homes. About 150 King County residents and about 130 residents in control counties were surveyed before (1996) and after (2001) the campaign. Respondents were required to have kids and a least one firearm in the home. The prevalence of storing firearms in a lock box increased in King County from 1996-2001 (45% vs. 53%), and the prevalence of keeping firearms loaded decreased (20% vs. 13%). Although there was a statistically significant increase in the use of lock boxes and gun safes in King County from 1996-2001, there was also an increase among residents in the control counties, indicating that changes could have been due to secular trends.