Education Enhances In-Home Gun Safety Awareness, Study Finds

A recent national study highlights the significant role of education in promoting in-home gun safety among parents and caregivers. Presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting in Honolulu, the research shows that increased exposure to firearm safety information elevates the likelihood of parents asking about guns in the homes their children visit. The study found that for every new source of gun safety information a parent received, their probability of inquiring about firearms increased by 40%. Specifically, 16% of caregivers who had never prior information about firearm safety asked about guns in visited homes, compared to 79% among those who had learned from eight different sources. Education sources included other parents, family members, school officials, social media, and healthcare providers. Notably, information from healthcare providers also increased awareness, although less than 9% of parents discuss firearm safety with their providers.

Dr. Maya Haasz, an associate professor at Children's Hospital Colorado and the study's presenting author, emphasized the importance of comprehensive firearm education, stating that fostering conversations about gun safety should become a routine part of parental and community discourse. She noted that children as young as two years old can accidentally trigger firearms, underlining the urgency of continuous safety education.

The findings underscore the critical need for multifaceted, ongoing education about gun safety, given that guns remain the leading cause of death among children in the United States. The survey analyzed responses from nearly 1,600 caregivers of children under 18, highlighting the impact of information exposure in creating a safer environment for families.

This study advocates for broader initiatives to inform parents and caregivers about firearm safety, aiming to normalize these crucial conversations and prevent tragic accidents.