A new survey conducted by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital has unveiled an overwhelming consensus among parents: 96% believe doctors should discuss gun safety with them, but only 51% say they’ve ever been asked about firearms in their homes. This disconnect between parental expectations and healthcare practices sheds light on a critical gap in the conversation about gun safety and child protection.
The survey, presented at the 2024 National Conference and Exhibition of the American Academy of Pediatrics, specifically targeted parents of children aged 8 to 21 who had been admitted to the hospital for suicidal ideation or following a suicide attempt. The findings underscore the vital role doctors can play in gun safety discussions and suicide prevention.
The Deadly Link Between Guns and Suicide
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), firearms are the leading method of suicide for both men and women in the U.S. Guns are also a major cause of accidental injury and death among children under the age of 17. Despite these statistics, many healthcare professionals fail to raise the issue of gun safety during patient consultations.
“Only about a quarter of those who die by suicide ever see a mental health provider, but many of them visit their primary care provider,” explains Allison Bond, a firearm safety researcher at Rutgers University. “We’re missing a crucial opportunity to discuss suicide risk and gun safety.”
Why Aren’t More Doctors Talking About Gun Safety?
There are no federal laws requiring doctors to address gun safety with their patients, although several leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Medical Association (AMA), strongly recommend it. The AAP advocates for pediatricians to routinely discuss firearm safety, while the AMA encourages doctors to ask whether patients have guns at home and provide guidance on safe storage practices.
However, Dr. Joseph Ladines-Lim, a researcher at Michigan Medicine, reveals that many doctors avoid the topic. His recent study found that only 36% of healthcare providers felt comfortable discussing gun safety with patients. “It’s a touchy subject,” Ladines-Lim says. “Doctors don’t want to alienate their patients, especially when the conversation can quickly become politicized.”
Time constraints and the perception that other topics are more important also play a role in why gun safety often gets overlooked. “Talking about firearms can feel very personal, and it’s just one more intimate question on top of many others,” says Bond.
Additionally, many healthcare providers may not know what to say when the topic arises. Dr. Amy Barnhorst, a specialist in firearms law and mental illness at UC Davis Health, adds that some doctors fear there’s little they can do if they learn a patient has access to firearms, especially if the patient is at risk of suicide. However, she points out that red flag laws in some states allow law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.
The Importance of Discussing Gun Safety
Experts agree that conversations about gun safety between doctors and patients can make a significant difference. Lauren Khazem, a clinical psychologist at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, highlights the impulsive nature of many suicides involving firearms. “If we’re not asking about guns, we’re missing a chance to prevent suicides,” Khazem says.
Barnhorst stresses that many patients may not be aware of safe firearm storage practices. “Patients rely on us for health and safety information,” she explains. “Guns are no different. By raising the topic, doctors can alert patients to risks they may not have considered.”
Research supports this claim. A study of Mississippi National Guard members found that 55% of those who received counseling on safe gun storage were still following the advice three months later, compared to only 39% of those who were not counseled. These conversations may also help reduce the risk of domestic violence, as access to a firearm increases the likelihood of a woman being killed by an abusive partner fivefold, according to Everytown for Gun Safety.
Taking Action: A Call for Gun Safety Awareness in Hospitals
The survey’s findings reveal that parents are not only open to these discussions but are actively seeking guidance. Nearly 90% of caregivers expressed a desire to see firearm locks distributed in hospitals. Dr. Taylor Rosenbaum, the lead author of the study, notes that these conversations can have a tangible impact: “Parents of children hospitalized for suicidal thoughts want to have these discussions with their healthcare team and benefit from receiving free firearm locks.”
What Do Gun Safety Conversations Look Like?
The way healthcare providers address gun safety varies by practice. Some doctors include questions about firearms in the initial patient questionnaire, but responses to these questions can be inconsistent. If a patient confirms they have firearms in their home, the doctor may follow up with questions about how the guns are stored—whether they are locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition.
While some patients are open to discussing gun safety, others may resist the conversation entirely. “It really depends on the patient,” says Ladines-Lim. Bond adds that more research is needed to determine the most effective ways to engage gun owners in these discussions.
Moving Forward: A Focus on Education and Collaboration
Medical training programs are increasingly focusing on firearm safety education, helping doctors learn how to have productive conversations with their patients. Barnhorst emphasizes that it’s important for doctors to approach the issue thoughtfully and collaboratively. “The people most at risk of firearm injury are gun owners,” she says. “It’s important to work with them on solutions, rather than taking an absolute stance against guns.”
As the conversation around gun safety in healthcare continues to evolve, doctors are encouraged to recognize the potential life-saving impact of these discussions. By addressing the issue with care and understanding, healthcare providers can help reduce the risk of accidental shootings and suicides—and make homes safer for families across the country.
