Why Do You Keep Them There? A Qualitative Assessment of Firearms Storage Practices 1

• Unauthorized access to firearms by children results in many injuries and fatalities in the United States each year. Research suggests that storage methods across homes are influenced by various contextual factors and lack consistency.
• Thirty individuals were interviewed regarding firearm storage methods used in their homes and reasons for choosing those methods. Storage practices varied within and across households.
• Qualitative results suggested that storage practices were related to child presence and age, intended use of firearms, and perception of risk associated with potential access by unsafe individuals.

Thousands of children are killed or injured each year in the United States after gaining access to firearms. Storage methods are inconsistent and influenced by various contextual factors in the home. We explored reasons underlying parents' choices of firearm storage. Thirty individuals were interviewed regarding firearm storage methods used in their homes and reasons for choosing those methods. Storage practices varied within and across households. Qualitative results suggested that storage practices were related to child presence and age, intended use of firearms, and perception of risk associated with potential access by unsafe individuals. Implications for injury prevention are discussed.