The Role of Family-Level Factors in Firearm Storage Practices

Firearm-related injuries and fatalities among youth in the United States represent a critical public health crisis. Secure firearm storage (i.e., keeping guns unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition) is a proven strategy to reduce these risks. However, many households do not consistently adopt these practices. This review examines four key family-level factors that influence firearm storage decisions: (a) early firearm socialization, (b) family decision-making dynamics, (c) other household safety practices, and (d) parent understanding of child development and motivations regarding storage. Findings indicate that interventions may benefit from empowering parents to reflect on their early firearm socialization experiences, improving their understanding of children’s development, integrating firearm safety into broader household safety frameworks, and promoting collaborative decision-making in multi-adult households. Future research should further investigate how these factors intersect to shape firearm storage practices, including the long-term effects of early firearm exposure through longitudinal studies, and variations across diverse family structures and contexts, including multigenerational households.