Study highlights need for gun violence prevention efforts in rural areas

Rural kids and teens are at a high risk for firearm injury and death, yet most prevention efforts are based on research in urban areas, a new study found.

The study, conducted by researchers in Washington, set out to understand what rural kids' experiences are with firearms and their perceptions of them. The findings also highlighted the need for prevention efforts more tailored to that population.

"Despite the need to account for rural perspectives, few studies have investigated the unique social-ecological context of firearms for rural adolescents or have directly engaged with rural adolescents to understand their views on firearm use," they added.

For health care journalists looking to cover firearm violence in rural areas, this study offers some larger context for how guns are viewed in those communities, especially among kids, and presents some potential solutions for keeping those kids safe.

A good example of a solution-oriented story is this one by NPR about a gun safety trainer in Washington who teaches kids as young as eight how to safely and responsibly handle firearms. He tells NPR he does it because he'd rather see a generation of responsible gun owners rather than a generation that doesn't respect safety and proper firearm usage.

Study method

Researchers surveyed 93 adolescents studied in rural Washington enrolled in 4-H programs. The majority were white and slightly more girls were surveyed than boys.

Over half of the kids said they carried a handgun and first carried one at about 10 years old. Four reported they had carried a gun on school property.

Rural kids and teens are at a greater risk for unintentional shootings and firearm suicides compared to their urban counterparts, according to the study. Rural kids have greater access to firearms and are more likely to carry a gun. If there are firearms in their homes, they're more likely to be unlocked and loaded.

"Given the risk of death by suicide and homicide associated with household access to firearms and limited access to health care in rural areas, firearm injury prevention strategies that are developmentally appropriate and effective for rural adolescents are greatly needed," researchers wrote.

Analyzing the results

A key finding in the study is the power and value of social norms influencing how rural kids approach guns. The researchers define social norms as "unwritten, culturally bound rules" within a community that influence personal behaviors. And a kid is more likely to engage in a behavior if they perceive it as acceptable and common, for example, if their friends carry a gun.

The study identified three categories of social norms related to guns: acceptable use, reason for carrying and carrying in the community.

The kids identified three conditions for acceptable use: legality, adult supervision and training. The majority showed some awareness of state laws or referenced things that were legal and not.

Roughly 80% said using a firearm without adult supervision was not allowed. They also emphasized the need for proper training to handle and use firearms and the majority of the kids surveyed had received formal or informal training.

There were three accepted reasons to carry firearms: self-defense, recreation and hunting. The children surveyed said it was unacceptable to carry a gun to cause harm or intimidate. They all generally agreed it's okay for adults to carry a gun to protect themselves, their families and their property, but it's not acceptable for kids to do so.

They also told researchers kids should not be allowed to carry a handgun in certain public spaces, like churches, grocery stores and schools.

The researchers concluded that asking kids about their views on guns is critical because more kids are carrying handguns, leading to more firearm injuries and deaths. Their findings can also inform prevention methods.

The study quotes one of the kids surveyed: "Well, nobody asks us these questions. So being able to actually outright talk about it [firearms] with people other than family, it's good to be able to voice our opinions and somewhat be heard by people."

Resources

• Safer Homes Collaborative employs a credible messenger model when talking about firearm suicide prevention and safe gun storage. It's a joint effort between firearm owners and suicide prevention advocates to raise awareness that suicide can be prevented through safe firearm storage. It was established to implement a suicide prevention education program for owners and staff at gun shops, shooting ranges and other organizations in frequent contact with firearm owners. The organization has field coordinators, who have training and expertise in firearms, to engage in conversations about suicide prevention, safe storage and offer trainings and resources.
  • Contact: Katie Ellison, [email protected]. Ellison is an excellent source on firearm suicide prevention. She also is the program director for the lethal means safety and firearm suicide prevention initiatives at the University of Missouri-St. Louis Institute of Mental Health.

• Moms Demand Action is an advocacy group that often focuses on kids and guns is The nonprofit founded by Shannon Watts after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. The organization advocates for stronger firearm safety measures and pushes for stronger state and federal laws on guns. The group is a part of Everytown for Gun Safety and has a chapter in every state and Washington, D.C.