C. N. Fick2, B. P. Smith1 1University Of Pennsylvania,Surgery,Philadelphia, PA, USA 2Georgetown University Medical Center,Washington, DC, USA
Introduction: Firearm violence is a serious public health issue in the US. In 2013 the Institute of Medicine, in collaboration with the National Research Council, published their committee findings regarding a research agenda for the public health aspects of firearm-related violence. A specific recommendation was to characterize the scope and motivations for gun acquisition, ownership, and use among various subpopulations. This study sought to provide descriptive data about firearm attitudes and accessibility among trauma patients, a group commonly regarded as "at risk" for firearm related injuries.
Methods: Over a five-month period, a convenience sample of 150 trauma patients and their family/friends, ages 18 to 44, self-administered a novel survey. No incentive was provided. Data measured included demographics, perception of personal safety and community violence, gun ownership and acquisition methods, and opinions regarding firearm legislation. Gun ownership was defined as currently owning or possessing a firearm. Previous gun ownership was defined as previous possession of any firearm to which the respondent no longer had access. Fisher’s Exact Test and Linear-by-Linear Associations were used to measure relationships, with significance tested at p<0.05.
Results: Fifteen subjects declined to participate before reaching the 150 subject sample, yielding accrual rate of 91%. Subjects had a median age of 28 (IQR 22-34), 72% were male, and violent injuries (assault, gunshot wound, stab wound) accounted for 52% of patients. Of the sample, 12% were current gun owners and 15% were previous gun owners. Current owners were white (67% vs. 18%; p<0.01), lived outside of the metropolitan catchment area (44% vs. 16%; p=0.01), and had a higher median household income (p<0.01). Current owners generally acquired their guns from a licensed dealer (61%). Previous owners were more frequently unemployed (61% vs. 24%; p=0.01), recently in a fight (57% vs. 30%; p=0.02), and more commonly presented as a victim of a GSW compared to current gun owners (48% vs. 11%; p=0.02) and never gun owners (48% vs. 22%; p=0.02). Previous gun owners acquired a gun from an owner of stolen guns or gun trafficker at a significantly higher rate than current owners (48% vs. 0%; p=0.01). Perceived community violence was not associated with current gun ownership (p=0.08) nor previous gun ownership (p=0.19).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates trauma patients and their familes were willing to discuss firearms. Prevelance of firearms in this sample is similar to other national surveys. Previous gun owners more often presented with gunshot injuries compared to both current and never gun owners. Future research should focus on characteristics surrounding the high gunshot wound victimization rate of previous owners. Additionally, investigation into the motivations of gun forfeiture by previous gun owners might inform firearm violence reduction strategies.