Researcher says few families report safe firearm storage

Wake Forest U/Baptist Med Center ^ | 4-Jun-2007 | Rae Bush

[Pharmboy]

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Few families store their firearms safely, according to a pediatric researcher at Brenner Children's Hospital, part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Robert H. DuRant, Ph.D., and his colleagues' research study results are published in the June issue of Pediatrics.

"Over 70 percent of the families surveyed reported not storing their firearms safely in their residence," DuRant said. "This concerns us a great deal because having guns in the home increases the likelihood that they will be used in a suicide or unintentional injury. It's imperative that parents understand the necessity of storing guns safely in the home."

Storage patterns are most influenced by firearm type, family socialization with guns and the age of the child, DuRant said.

"Our research shows that unsafe gun storage is associated with families who were raised with guns in the home," he said. "They tend to be more comfortable with guns and are less likely to store them safely. We also found that families who had children aged 2 to 5 years and owned long guns were more likely to store guns safely than families with older children."

"Our primary recommendation is that parents should remove guns from the home," DuRant said. "However, if parents are unwilling to do that, they should lock all guns with gun locks and store them separately from ammunition."

Firearm ownership was highest in families with two adults in the home, according to the study. Families in rural areas are more likely to own long guns and families who own long guns only are more likely to store guns unlocked but store ammunition separately from guns. Families who owned hand guns were more likely to store the guns locked but to have the guns loaded.

"We are encouraging all pediatricians to talk with parents about safe gun storage practices," he said. "We want to prevent unnecessary deaths."

DuRant and colleagues administered the survey to 3,745 parents in 96 pediatric offices in 45 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. The offices were part of the Pediatric Research in Office Settings group. The survey measured family history of guns in the house, firearm types, storage behaviors and ownership.

### In addition to DuRant, Shari Barkin, M.D., Edward H. Ip, Ph.D., from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center; Joseph A. Craig, M.D. from Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics in Denver, Colorado, Victoria A. Weiley, M.I.S., from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Richard C. Wasserman, M.D., M.P.H., from the University of Vermont, also participated in the study.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Media Contacts: Rae Bush, rbush@wfubmc.edu, or Karen Richardson, krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu, at (336) 716-4587.

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Wake Forest University Health Sciences and Brenner Children's Hospital. The system comprises 1,238 acute care, rehabilitation, psychiatry and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report.

[L98Fiero]

‘“Hoplophobia” defined:’

Thanks! You are “the man”. ;)

[Gideon Reader]

I went to Jr.High & High school with my personl Doc.
He went to medical school AFTER serving eight years as a B-47 Crew Chief in the OLD SAC.
I tell him he was a better Crew Chief and took better care of the "birds" than he takes care of me. He says he liked them better. The SOB owns more guns than I do (albeit he cannot hit a bull in the ass with an Bass Fiddle)
His heart is with the BOR’s. ALL of them!

[Hot Tabasco]

I wish I could remember what I did with the keys to my trigger locks

I was provided trigger locks with every gun I purchased over the past 10 years. They're stored well out of the way so they don't interfere with any firearm I need to pick up in a hurry......

As for my doctor, he doesn't like guns but he also doesn't bring up the subject of firearms any more nor does his wife who happens to be my sister. They know EXACTLY how I stand on the issue and she has given up trying to debate the issue......(Thats the only argument I can win against her......LOL!)

[Hot Tabasco]

use to think it was mandatory like an 11th commandment.

Good one! LOL!

[hattend]

Few families store their firearms safely, according to a pediatric researcher at Brenner Children's Hospital

Streets are running red with children's blood!

[Ancesthntr]

“Our primary recommendation is that parents should remove guns from the home,” DuRant said.”

Wow, I’m glad I was sitting down - actual honesty from a gun-grabbing SOB?! I’m really shocked - that he said it, not that this is what he and his paymasters want.

So, his reiterating a line from history: “Spartans, lay down your weapons!” To which I can only reply ***MOLON LABE!!! Persian, come and get them!!!***
http://www.moviesonline.ca/TheFeed/index.php?id=300-laydownyourweapons

“They tend to be more comfortable with guns and are less likely to store them safely. We also found that families who had children aged 2 to 5 years and owned long guns were more likely to store guns safely than families with older children.”

Really? No kidding, you mean that people who are accustomed to something are comfortable with it? Kind of like France having extremely few alcoholics despite letting their 5 year olds drink wine at the dinner table? Idiot! OF COURSE families with guns are less likely to store them “safely” (your definition, not mine) - because true safety is between your ears, moron, it isn’t a lock. It most certainly isn’t a gun with a trigger lock or which is disassembled - because then it can’t be used for its 2nd most important use, protecting one’s self and family from street criminals.

Oh, and the MOST important use for firearms in case you wanted to know, DuRant you nadless wonder, is protection from the bought and paid agents in Washington of your paymasters. See one of the most artful and cutting statements of this on the following video, beginning where there are about 40 seconds left (but watch the whole thing, and pass it on):

http://www.washingtonceasefire.com/content/view/23/35/

[Ancesthntr]

So, his reiterating a line from history:

Uh, *he's* reiterating....

[antihannityguy]

$100

[Godzilla]

I await the pediatrician's next article reviewing how children fared during the 20th Century in countries that removed guns from private possession

"Political Correctness" is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous, mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.

[absalom01]

You would think that they could at least come up with new ideas, rather than recycling all of the same old crapola.

[ninenot]

"However, if parents are unwilling to do that, they should lock all guns with gun locks and store them separately from ammunition."

Safe for WHOM?

The whole point of having a handgun is self-defense, not time-trials for unlocking and loading...

[ninenot]

Sensible idea.

I have two weapons which are not locked—one in the master bedroom, out of sight, location unknown to the grandchildren.

The other is an unloaded air-rifle which requires about 30 lbs. of force to cock/load.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

An anti-gun University Doctor. Wow! Whodathunkit???

[Jet Jaguar]

Ask your pediatrician if he would be willing to display this sign at his home for a month.

[looscnnn]

Yeah, like “safely storing” them up will stop them from being used for suicide.

[Old Student]

“Some day I will make a retirement tour of every known final resting place wherein the esteemed leadership of the Left in America have been interred. I will ensure I have an uncomfortably full bladder which expediency and comfort demand I immediately relieve. I will do so with gusto.

Being in reasonably good health I expect I will outlive 95% of the wretches responsible.

Might take my dog with me...”

I’m probably not in good enough health to last that long. If I do manage to last long enough for you to start that tour, however, I’d be honored to buy you (and your dog) a few gallons of whatever you’re drinking, and some of your favorite diuretic. Kindly stay in touch. I’m quite serious about this!

“Infantile pablum from the Left again. Children raised with guns, taught how to safely use guns, clean and maintain guns, and respect guns will do just that.”

Absolutely right.

[A Strict Constructionist]

Shucks, Mt.Rushmore is already taken. Maybe Pikes Peak will do.

[BigTom85]

For anything else, keep them locked in the best fireproof safe you can afford.

I have a couple dozen guns. When I am home, my 12 gauge is loaded and extra shells are on the shelf. However, When I go out, the gun goes back into the safe. When I am not home, my guns are always secured.

If you ask me, I think most people on here are full of crap when they say 'ohh my guns are always ready to rock and roll and we have one loaded in ever room of the house'. I think that most of the people on here use common sense and lock their guns up when they have to. However, I think they just try to put on some kind of a front on this site.

[Shooter 2.5]

I’m sure there are those who have every gun imaginable hidden in every nook and cranny of their house. Me? Someone needed me to buy their safe with all that nice fireproofing and I was able to get it at half price.

You know where I used to put my guns when we went on vacation? In my son’s toy box. After we got back, I had this nagging seven year old demanding I get my toys out of his toybox. LOL.

[Pharmboy]

Never thought of that—great point.