State Firearm Policy Context and Household Firearm Storage in 13 U.S. States: Findings From the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the state firearm policy context and household firearm storage in 13 U.S. states. Data were from the 13 states that participated in the firearm module of the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N=24,936). State firearm policy context was measured using a categorical indicator from the 2023 Giffords Law Center Gun Law Scorecard, with states graded A, B, D, or F (no states with a C grade were included in the sample). Multiple logistic regression models estimated the associations between state firearm policy context and whether a household stored a firearm as loaded and unlocked. Analyses were performed in August 2025-January 2026. Among firearm-owning households, 17.9% (95% CI=17.2%, 18.6%) reported residing in a household with a firearm stored loaded and unlocked. Respondents living in states with more restrictive firearm policy contexts were significantly less likely to reside in households with firearms stored loaded and unlocked, including those in D states (AOR=0.84, 95% CI=0.72, 0.98), B states (AOR=0.54, 95% CI=0.44, 0.67), and A states (AOR=0.24, 95% CI=0.17, 0.32), than respondents living in states rated F on the Giffords Scorecard. More restrictive state firearm policy environments are associated with a lower likelihood of residing in a household with a firearm stored loaded and unlocked. These findings highlight the relevance of considering the broader firearm policy landscape for firearm storage research and health promotion efforts.