Seven clinic- and community-based studies published in 2000–2012 using counseling with or without safety device provision met the inclusion criteria. All 3 studies that provided a safety device significantly improved firearm storage practices, while 3 of 4 studies that provided no safety device failed to show an effect.
Archives
Community based program to improve firearm storage practices in rural Alaska
This community based program demonstrated that Alaska Native gun owners accepted and used gun safes when they were installed in their homes, leading to substantial improvements in gun storage practices. Trigger locks were much less likely to be used.
Firearm Violence by the Mentally Ill: Mental Health Professionals’ Perceptions and Practices
Findings have been summarized in the following categories: mental health professionals training, screening for the presence of firearms, engagement in firearm safety counseling, and perceptions regarding firearm violence in the United States. Mental health professionals need more training regarding firearm issues if they are going to play a role in reducing firearm trauma by the mentally ill. Their impact will be primarily on firearm suicides.
A Community Educational Intervention to Improve Firearm Safety Behaviors in Families
The author uses an established curriculum for improving gun safety within the family and collects data on its effectiveness within a community institution.
Evaluation of a Community-Based Handgun Safe-Storage Campaign
This study examined a multifaceted community education campaign to promote safe handgun storage and the campaign’s impact on firearm locking and loading practices in households with children
The Gun Talk: How to Have Effective Conversations with Patients and Families About Firearm Injury Prevention
In this chapter we briefly summarize the scope and impact of firearm access in the United States, and discuss approaches to engage and counsel patients about firearm access, storage practices, and security, with particular attention given to suicide and violence risk.
Promoting Safe Firearm Storage in an Urban Neighborhood: The Views of Parents Concerning the Role of Health Care Providers
Pediatric clinics are uniquely positioned to assess and advocate for the health and safety of Chicago’s children in relation to accidental firearm-related injury and death. Other strategies in addition to physician counseling will be required to promote safe firearm storage in this neighborhood with high rates of community violence.
Talking with Families: Interventions for Health Care Clinicians
Clinicians need to connect with families within the context of their beliefs around gun ownership. This will facilitate providing effective guidance that maximizes the safety of all children within their homes, whether the children are their own or visitors.
Proceedings from the 25th Annual Injury Free Coalition for Kids® Conference: Forging New Frontiers: Changing the Conversation on Gun Safety
Assessing Firearm Access and Providing Safe Gun Storage Education
Nurses may have a role in curbing gun violence through assessment of safe gun storage.