Access to firearms does not necessarily equate to self-defense, as a recent Rutgers Health study reveals. The study, conducted by the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, found that the majority of firearm owners rarely use their weapons for defensive purposes, with less than 1% reporting any use in the previous year.
According to Michael Anestis, the executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, individuals with access to firearms are more likely to be exposed to gun violence than to actually defend themselves with their weapons. While defensive gun use does occur, it is not as prevalent as commonly believed. Anestis emphasizes the need to consider the harms associated with firearm ownership rather than focusing solely on defensive scenarios.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, surveyed 8,009 adults in May 2024, with 3,000 participants reporting firearm access. The research examined instances of defensive gun use and exposure to gun violence over participants’ lifetimes and within the past year. Shockingly, over one-third of respondents knew someone who died by firearm suicide, and nearly a third reported hearing gunshots in their neighborhood in the past year.
Interestingly, the study found that individuals who had experienced gun violence, carried firearms more frequently, and stored their firearms unlocked and loaded were more likely to engage in defensive gun use. Anestis suggests that individuals who have been victims of gun violence may perceive threats more readily and respond with their firearms as a result.
It is important to note that the perception of a threat does not always equate to an actual threat, and the use of firearms for defense is not always necessary. The study highlights the complex nature of defensive gun use and urges policymakers to consider the risks associated with firearm ownership.
For more information, the study “Lifetime and Past-Year Defensive Gun Use” can be found in JAMA Network Open. The research sheds light on the realities of firearm ownership and the prevalence of defensive gun use among individuals with access to firearms.
