Citation

Wallace LN. BMJ Evid. Based Med. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Criminal Justice, Penn State Altoona, Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA lno106@psu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmjebm-2019-111223

PMID

31427353

Abstract

This study examined individuals' recollection of gun safety conversations during childhood, and with whom these conversations occurred. Data were collected using a retrospective survey of 298 college students aged 18-54 from three campuses of a university in the USA. Respondents reported whether they recalled discussing guns or gun safety with a parent, doctor, or school official in childhood as well as what age they recalled first discussing guns or gun safety with this adult. Those growing up in gun-owning households were more likely to report gun safety conversations with parents and to report having these conversations at earlier ages. More affluent youth were more likely to report gun safety conversations with school officials and to report having gun safety discussions with adults in a variety of roles. Few respondents recalled discussing guns with a doctor or paediatrician. Future investigations are needed to assess the content and form of gun safety conversations between children and caregivers.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Language: en

Keywords

firearms; prevention; retrospective; safety