One in 3 US veteran firearm owners keeps a gun loaded and unlocked

[whitney]

Following is the data used to compile the statistic cited in the OP.

Firearm Storage Practices Among American Veterans - ScienceDirect

Methods
The authors used a probability-based online survey of Veteran firearm owners in 2015 (data analyzed in 2017; 54.6% response rate). The primary outcome was firearm storage practices. Additional items assessed individual and household-level sociodemographic characteristics, firearm-related characteristics, and risk perceptions related to firearm ownership.

For this study, respondents were included if they self-identified as Veterans; reported living in a home with a firearm and personally owning a firearm in working order (not including air guns, BB guns, starter pistols, or paintball guns); and responded to items assessing their household firearm storage practices. The IRB at Northeastern University approved the study.

So......... the "online survey" limited respondants to only those who represented themselves as "veterans"?
Without acess to the "actual" survey I am inclined to call BS on the whole data set. Take a look at who funded this and make your own decisions.

Not taking anything away from the need for veteran care but this "survey" is highly suspect.

~Whitney

 

[MrRob96]

In before thread lock down.

I am a veteran and may or may not fall into the 2/3rds category in this "study."

Does this study give us any actionable data? Doesn't look like it to me.

The idea that veteran suicides will decrease if a gun can be grabbed within 10 seconds or 20 seconds is dubious at best.

 

[Ura-Ki]

As a Vet with PTSD I find these studies absurd and baseless! Why, Because they all ignore the core reasons behind PTSD! First, They never ask WHY vets suffer these things, mental, physical, ect. Those of us who have had certain experiences and been exposed to them repeatedly are likely to suffer some form of issue!
Second, Why do at risk Vets refuse treatment? Could it be we don't want a record of any thing? could it be we don't want to loose our rights as free citizens? could it be we don't want to be considered 'High Risk"?
Third, Why do so many Vets have trouble re-integrating in society after experiencing the things that cause all this?

See, no body wants to address the core problem, exposure to high stress combat events and traumas both mental and or physical are likely to carry their effects long after exposure, and yet no one has really looked at it from that standpoint!

Yes, I keep a loaded and secured firearm ON MY PERSON darn near 24/7 or with in easy reach! No it has nothing to do with being a vet with PTSD of any other rubbish, I carry because I care about my life and those of my family and friends, and I have seen the very worse mankind is capable of inflicting on others! The reality here, there two separate issues, one need to be resolved, and leave the other the hell alone!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Speaking only for myself here...
As a combat veteran who also goes thru life with PTSD...
I have learned to adjust my life and thoughts , to make my experiences work for me.
This has come over time... and with trial and error.

Why ...because as Ura-Ki has stated ...
I do not want to get on someone's list or account book because I have sought help.

With that said...
I have learned to take stock of myself daily and to adjust my thinking ....also it helps to have a core of folks you can turn to for help.

And with that said to all here who have been in harm's way for our Country....if you ever need someone to listen without judgement , one who actually can relate to what you have experienced and may be going through... If you need just to talk , have some one listen....let me know.
Andy

 

[Cavedweller]

Gee. I don't think I'll kill myself today because it's just TOO MUCH TROUBLE to go unlock the safe and load my gun. Yeah, right.

 

[MrRob96]

Public health is just another angle with which the antis are attacking the 2A.

Isn't it nice of them to care about veterans now that it means disarming them?

 

[tourproto]

Gee. I don't think I'll kill myself today because it's just TOO MUCH TROUBLE to go unlock the safe and load my gun. Yeah, right.

The idiocy of trying to imply loaded and unlocked guns vs. unloaded and locked as a preventative measure for gun suicide is ridiculous. If they have access (in a safe, not in a safe, loaded or not) and want to, they will. Very sad decision because it is a permanent solution to (what in most cases is) a temporary problem.

I do believe removing firearms from the immediate vicinity (home etc) would make a difference, but then you get into the very sticky area of "in what manner" are those firearms removed. I am not a fan of doing it without due process. These "red flag" laws are very problematic to me, akin to the Minority Report, with no easy way to get your firearms back either, which is effectively confiscation without due process.

It is not an easy problem to solve, but the manner in which a gun is stored in your home, IMHO, has very little bearing on if someone will commit suicide with said firearm. If there is statistical relevance, I would love to see it.

 

[Hardcore46]

No you didn't, you weren't specific and changed your comment after the fact. If you want specific stats ask for them properly. If you're vague you'll get the appropriate response. To Change it up after and say otherwise is just dishonest. No time for dishonest people in discussions. Have a good day.

Your words were simply: Do you have a source.

For my comment that guns in the home do raise suicide rates.

That's all.

For the sake of argument, let's say that the studies which you cited used valid, objective standards of measure, and that the unstated element (firearms locked in a safe) was also one of the factors that reduced the number of successful suicide attempts. Even if that were true, is it the proper role of government to protect us from ourselves? Are Oregon and Washington not both "right to die" states? As sad as it is to lose someone to suicide (nephew, firearm, 2 years ago), I do not believe that we, through the government, have a right to punish our neighbor for the failure to secure their firearms. Maybe if you leave guns out for immature juveniles to play with, and something bad happens, criminal sanctions, but otherwise civil remedies only.

 

[Gator Monroe]

I simply do not care. Suicide is sad however it is a choice each individual person makes for themselves. We do not need to legislate to save people from themselves.

If they care so much, how about they cure the cause of the increased suicidality risk amongst veterans instead of attempting to put a bandaid over it in the form of legislation against their freedoms.

I.e. stop sending our kids to fight pointless wars that need not involve us. Increase the allotted budget for healthcare for veterans instead of giving away billions in foreign aid and domestic welfare programs.

Just my $0.02 as a veteran.

Stop the Socialist Progressive Brainwarshing that goes on from Pre School to Post Grad School of our kids and if a 14 year old gets Pregnant by an Adult force PP to notify Parents and Law Enforcement ...

 

[eklarsen]

This just in... 99% of meat eaters will stab that piece of meat with a fork before chewing it aggressively.
Note: this number does not include anyone who doesn't eat meat with a fork.

 

[Raidingtime]

PTSD, depression, lack of mental health options, poor health care, loneliness, pain, suffering. These men risked their lives and often lost their peace of mind in the process protecting this country. They carry a baggage some of us can't comprehend, but should be doing our best to empathize with and help.

It would help if we canned the VA and privatized healthcare for us vets. I will never step foot in any VA hospital. I'm happy and fortunate to have private health insurance through my current job.

 

[Raidingtime]

"Second, Why do at risk Vets refuse treatment? Could it be we don't want a record of any thing? could it be we don't want to loose our rights as free citizens? could it be we don't want to be considered 'High Risk"?"

This is exactly what the root of the 20 veteran day problem is!

 

[Ura-Ki]

When society criminalizes Vets for being the way we are, were screwed!
Put us on lists, start files on us, report us and folks wonder why there are issues!

 

[Raidingtime]

When society criminalizes Vets for being the way we are, were screwed!
Put us on lists, start files on us, report us and folks wonder why there are issues!

"when"

Gosh I need to cut my cynical side off

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Most veterans that I know...
Just want to go about their daily lives , with as little amount of "fuss" as possible.
Many who are in need , never ask for anything , other than to be given some understanding.
Seems a shame that those who have given so much of themselves , risk losing so much when asking for help.
Andy

 

[L84Cabo]

I'm all for staging guns around the house and such but I'm a huge fan of the quick access safes. Mostly because I figure that it would really suck to get shot with your own gun because you walked in on a thief and he happened to find your double super secret hiding spot that you swore nobody could find. But YMMV.

 

[maddog]

When society criminalizes Vets for being the way we are, were screwed!
Put us on lists, start files on us, report us and folks wonder why there are issues!

I think those who want this done are afraid of us. "Sic 'em, boy! But heel when I tell ya to."

 

[Ura-Ki]

I think those who want this done are afraid of us. "Sic 'em, boy! But heel when I tell ya to."

They are afraid of us, afraid of the 35 years worth of almost continuous combat experienced vets here in this country and the skills we have!

 

[ma96782]

"The survey was completed by 3,949 US adults, of whom 561 were US Veterans who own firearms. The prevalence of unsafe firearm storage ranges substantially within the group surveyed, from 9 percent to 65 percent, across individual, household, and firearm ownership characteristics, and is strongly related to other firearm-related behaviors (e.g., carrying handguns), reasons for firearm ownership (e.g., protection versus other), number of firearms owned, and perceptions about the utility of guns stored safely and whether guns make homes safer."

So then......"loaded = unsafe"?

Good reason why taxpayers should NOT fund the CDC to study firearms as it relates to "safety".

Duh.....what use is an unloaded firearm? And why is it your business (the Govt's business) to know what I'm doing in my household?

Aloha, Mark

 

[11Charlie]

I removed the banner gentlemen. Thank you for getting this thread back on track. It says something about our great members!