Americans Falsely Denying Gun Ownership

Author: Rutgers University
Published: 2023/06/24 - Updated: 2025/02/17
Publication Type: Research, Study, Analysis
Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Topic: Americas - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: Some individuals are falsely denying firearm ownership, resulting in research not accurately capturing the experiences of all firearm owners in the U.S.

Why it matters: This peer-reviewed study reveals that a segment of firearm owners in the United States may be unwilling to disclose their ownership status, leading to potential under-reporting in research data. Notably, many of these individuals are women residing alone in urban areas. This reluctance to report firearm ownership poses challenges in delivering effective firearm safety resources and secure storage messaging to all owners, potentially increasing the risk of firearm-related injuries and deaths. The study underscores the necessity of developing inclusive strategies that reach diverse firearm owners, including those who may not openly acknowledge their ownership, to promote safety and reduce firearm-related incidents - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

"Predicting Potential Underreporting of Firearm Ownership in a Nationally Representative Sample" - Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.

Some firearm owners may not want researchers to know they own firearms, according to a study by the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers.

Main Item

In a study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, researchers found that based on their answers to a variety of other questions, a group of individuals appeared as though they might be falsely denying firearm ownership when directly asked by researchers.

While some of these individuals resemble what previous research indicated to be a typical American firearm owner (e.g., white, male), others looked quite different (racial or ethnic minority, female, living in urban environments), highlighting that the landscape of firearm ownership in the United States may be shifting.

"Some individuals are falsely denying firearm ownership, resulting in research not accurately capturing the experiences of all firearm owners in the U.S.," said Allison Bond, lead author of the study and a doctoral student with the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center.

"More concerningly, these individuals are not being reached with secure firearm storage messaging and firearm safety resources, which may result in them storing their firearms in an unsecure manner, which in turn increases the risk for firearm injury and death."

Rutgers researchers surveyed a group of 3,500 English-speaking adults who are U.S. residents. Each participant was asked if they own a firearm as well as demographic factors and questions assessing perceived threats.

The study indicates a percentage of firearm owners may not feel comfortable disclosing their ownership status. Among those identified as potentially falsely denying firearm ownership, many were women living alone in urban environments.

Recent research shows that since 2019, half of all new firearm owners in the U.S. identify as female and more individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds have purchased firearms.

Although researchers can't say with certainty that individuals in the study were lying about firearm ownership, the study nonetheless highlights the importance of considering that our understanding of who owns firearms and our efforts to reach firearm owners on issues, such as secure firearm storage, may be overlooking parts of the intended audience.

"There are several reasons some firearm owners might feel uncomfortable disclosing that they own firearms," said Michael Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and senior author of the study.

"These results serve as an important reminder that we should not assume we know everything about who owns firearms and that we should ensure that our efforts to reach firearm owners can resonate with broad audiences we might not realize would benefit from the message."

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

This report highlights a critical gap in firearm safety outreach: the underreporting of firearm ownership among certain demographics, particularly women living alone in urban settings. This concealment not only skews research data but also means that these owners may not receive essential information on secure firearm storage, increasing the risk of accidental injuries or fatalities. Addressing this issue requires tailored strategies that respect privacy concerns while ensuring all firearm owners have access to vital safety resources

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Rutgers University and published on 2023/06/24, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Rutgers University can be contacted at rutgers.edu NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.