Online Storage Maps to Facilitate Voluntary Firearm Storage: Mixed Methods Evaluation

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7. PROJECT SUMMARY Suicide accounts for the majority of firearm deaths in the United States, and up to 80% in many Western states. Reducing firearm access for those at risk, including through temporary, voluntary storage away from home, is a key suicide prevention strategy. New public-facing, online state maps in Colorado and Washington display firearm ranges, retailers, and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) willing to consider temporary, voluntary firearm storage. Key issues about this program include the views of storage suppliers (retailers, ranges, LEAs) and of storage users (firearm owners and family members) and the best methods for program growth and dissemination. This R61 proposal builds on preliminary work and is responsive to the RFA's call for “innovative and culturally competent interventions”. Over a two-year period, our multidisciplinary, established study team aims to use mixed methods (qualitative + quantitative) to examine the perspectives of (1) suppliers (ranges, retailers, and LEAs in Colorado and Washington) and (2) users (firearm owners and family members in Colorado and Washington) about statewide voluntary firearm storage maps, including participation, usage, and preferred dissemination. We will also (3) develop an implementation toolkit for other states, informed by interviews with stakeholders in the 11 other states already considering or creating maps. Our overarching hypothesis is that voluntary, temporary out-of-home firearm storage is a desirable option for both suppliers and users. We will use a combination of qualitative interviews with stakeholders (suppliers in Aim1a; users in Aim 2a; other states in Aim 3a) and surveys (suppliers in Aim 1b; users in Aim 2b); key stakeholder groups will include storage suppliers and users as well as firearm injury and suicide prevention organizations and firearm rights organizations. Our interdisciplinary, collaborative team brings a depth and breadth of relevant experience, with additional guidance from an Expert Advisory Panel (including firearm retailers and instructors). The proposed research will fill a critical need for usable, “culturally competent” tools to facilitate out-of-home, temporary, voluntary firearm storage. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated stressors, surge in firearm sales, and concern for impending spike in suicide adds urgency to the need for acceptable, effective strategies for firearm suicide prevention. Our proposed work will provide the scientific foundation for rapid, broad dissemination of firearm storage maps and offers the potential to have a significant impact in firearm suicide prevention efforts.