Study Reveals Firearm Owners' Willingness to Temporarily Store Guns Outside Their Homes for Safety Reasons

Recent research conducted by Rutgers University uncovers insights into firearm owners' attitudes toward temporary out-of-home gun storage. The study highlights that owners are more inclined to consider storing their guns with retailers or law enforcement agencies when they are concerned about the safety of their household members. The survey, which involved 3,018 U.S. adults living in households with firearms, explored their willingness to store firearms temporarily outside their homes.

Findings published in JAMA Network Open show that many firearm owners prioritize the protection of their loved ones over personal self-defense needs. Specifically, 34% of respondents expressed willingness to store their firearms with law enforcement agencies, while others preferred firearm retailers. Importantly, the study indicates that the motivation for such temporary storage often stems from worries about household safety, which influences their decision-making.

Jennifer Paruk, the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, emphasized that these results suggest a potential avenue for enhancing safety. "Our findings show that firearm owners are more willing to temporarily store their firearms with retailers and law enforcement when they're concerned about protecting others in their household rather than themselves, but are also concerned about leaving the home unprotected," she explained.

To promote voluntary, short-term storage, researchers suggest installing lockers at firearm retail outlets, which could improve accessibility and willingness among gun owners. Additionally, the development of online maps showing locations of participating firearms retailers and law enforcement agencies that accept temporary storage requests is an innovative step. The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center has already created a comprehensive firearm storage map for the state based on data from 2021.

This research underscores the importance of clear communication about the benefits of temporary storage options, emphasizing safety and the short-term nature of the arrangement. Such initiatives could play a crucial role in reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths by encouraging responsible storage practices.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-track-willingness-gun-owners-temporarily.html