Clarke Norris
Research Mentor: Cynthia Ewell Foster
Mentor Department: Dept. of Psychiatry and University Center for the Child and Family, Rackham Graduate School, Other
Author(s): Clarke Norris, Ryan Gilbert, Siwei Cao , Lauren Majlinger, Christina Magness, Cynthia Ewell Foster
Session: Session 7 (4:00 PM – 4:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 92
Abstract
Secure firearm storage is an important harm reduction practice, particularly for those who live in rural communities where firearm ownership is common. Little is known about how rural families store their firearms and about the financial or structural barriers that families might experience when considering secure storage techniques, which include locking and unloading firearms and storing ammunition in a separate locked area. The Store Safely intervention (Ewell Foster et al, 2024) is a multicomponent online universal prevention strategy tailored for rural families. The program is centered around reducing firearm injury and suicide in rural communities. Participants in this study are the first 131 individuals enrolled in the larger Store Safely trial. Data was collected about firearm ownership and storage practices at baseline. Participants also completed qualitative interviews and shared considerations that influenced their storage practices. Many participants expressed that they researched ways to safely store their firearms, but many also expressed that safes and lock boxes are expensive and required a period of time to save up to purchase them. Using the findings from the qualitative data collected, this study aims to examine how the Store Safely intervention can be strengthened using harm reduction-oriented supports in rural communities. A key implication is the need to offer local resource navigation and access to free or low-cost safe storage equipment distribution through trusted community partners.
