Posted on 03/03/2023 5:22:22 PM PST by PROCON
FRIDAY, March 3, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Locking up firearms can help prevent injury and death, yet a majority of gun owners say they keep at least one gun unlocked in case of emergency.
Rutgers University researchers surveyed more than 2,100 adult gun owners about gun storage, types of locking devices and locking mechanisms.
The survey found that 58% store at least one firearm unlocked and hidden. Another 18% store at least one firearm unlocked and unhidden.
When firearm owners lock at least one gun, most use a gun safe. In all, 32% said they used a device opened by key, PIN code or dial lock, and 16% used biometric devices. In general, biometric devices rely on characteristics such fingerprints or facial features to identify a user.
"These findings highlight two key points," said lead author Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers. "First, it appears firearm owners prefer gun safes relative to cable locks and trigger locks. Most locking device distribution programs provide cable locks and trigger locks, so those programs might be mismatched to firearm owner preferences. Second, very few firearm owners use biometric locks, which could indicate that cost is an issue or that firearm owners do not trust the technology to work when needed."
So why do owners not lock their firearms?
The most common reasons: 49% said locks are unnecessary; and 45% said locks will prevent quick access in an emergency.
About 49% said they would consider locking their firearms to prevent access by a child; and 37% would do so to keep them out of adolescent hands or prevent theft.
"Given these results, it appears that increasing the use of secure firearm storage will require several things. First, to address motivation we need to address disproportionate fears regarding the likelihood of armed home invasions," Anestis said in a university news release.
"Similarly, we need to help the public better understand the risks associated with having firearms in the home — above and beyond the risk of unauthorized access by children," he added.
"Second, we need to create more ready and equitable access to gun safes so that the available locking options align better with the preferences of firearm owners," Anestis concluded.
The findings were published online March 2 in JAMA Network Open. The study was funded by the U.S. Defense Health Agency.
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Yeah, neither do I.
That's an "assault flintlock".
We’d be fools if we didn’t have at least one handy.
I bet its loaded too.
I always keep a loaded and ready handgun ONE FINGERPRINT AWAY at hone,
When you need a gun, chances are you will need it real fast.
Got to be ready to waste liberal zombies, don’t you know?
Wait, Mr. Drug-addict Meth Head, please don’t shoot me. I’ve got to unlock my gun and bullets and load it.
My answer to nosy phone calls about my firearms; CLICK! (hangup)
I never leave home without it either.
I don't want to spend the rest of my life
Looking at the barrel of an Armalite
I don't want to spend the rest of my days
Keeping out of trouble like the soldiers say
I don't want to spend my time in hell
Looking at the walls of a prison cell
I don't ever want to play the part
Of a statistic on a goverment chart
It’s none of their damned business and may they regret forever the day they try to make it so.
Go figure.
What concern is it of yours?
Lock up all your firearms if you like, but otherwise, butt out.
duh...if you live alone...well...just duh...
One would be foolish to keep less that two or three guns un-locked and accessible in case they are needed. I’ve never heard of a criminal allowing a victim “just five minutes to grab my gun” before attacking a homeowner in a house invasion. Of course, guns should not be accessible to children who haven’t been properly trained as to gun safety, but such can be done without locking away all firearms.
All are firearms are locked away when we live our home unattended (with the exception of those that go with us), but the first thing we do when returning home is remove the “varmint” guns from the safe and return them to their place on the gun rack.
An unloaded gun is just an expensive club.
I used to keep one readily available, until that ugly mountain climbing incident, where I lost everything
These retards expect us to have all our guns locked so we can’t use them when needed?
Most yes, but the shotgun will never be locked, ever.
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