 |
|
Handgun Safety
What Do Consumers Learn From Gun Dealers?
Sandra M. Sanguino, MD, MPH;
M. Denise Dowd, MD, MPH;
Sean A. McEnaney, MD;
Jane Knapp, MD;
Robert R. Tanz, MD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002;156:777-780.
Objective To explore the type and quality of handgun safety information a typical
consumer would obtain from a licensed gun dealer.
Methods Semistructured, interactional on-site interviews were conducted with
licensed handgun dealers in 2 metropolitan areas. A variety of dealers (gun
shops, pawnshops, general merchandise stores, and sporting goods stores) were
visited. Investigators posed as customers interested in buying a handgun.
During the interview, investigators expressed concern that as the parent of
a 4-year-old child, they needed suggestions about keeping their child safe
with a gun in the home. Information collected included basic dealer demographics,
opinions on whether a 4-year-old child could pull a handgun trigger, handgun
safety advice and recommendations, and the type of safety devices and handgun
safety educational materials that were available in the store.
Results There were 96 visits made to gun dealers. The typical salesperson was
a man who appeared to be older than 40 years. Trigger locks were the most
common safety devices available. When asked what a consumer should know about
purchasing a handgun, 85% of salespeople did not mention safe storage. Only
9 (9%) offered advice that included all of the following: keeping the gun
securely locked, keeping the gun unloaded, and storing the gun separately
from the ammunition. One third answered "no" or "don't know" or "uncertain"
when asked if a 4-year-old could pull the trigger. The majority (92%) did
not have any handgun safe storage educational materials on site.
Conclusions Salespeople offered potential buyers little or no education about safe
storage of handguns. The information provided was often inconsistent with
the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Academic Pediatrics,
Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Ill (Drs Sanguino and Tanz); and the
Department of Pediatrics (Dr McEnaney), and the Division of Emergency Medicine
(Drs Dowd and Knapp), Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo.
RELATED ARTICLE
Truth or Consequences: Firearm Safety Instruction at the Time of Purchase
Harold K. Simon and Arthur Kellermann
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002;156(8):750-751.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Small Children Can't Be Taught Firearm Safety
McIntosh and Katcher
AAP Grand Rounds 2002;8:67-68.
FULL TEXT
Understanding and Preventing Violence in Children and Adolescents
Rivara
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2002;156:746-747.
FULL TEXT
Truth or Consequences: Firearm Safety Instruction at the Time of Purchase
Simon and Kellermann
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2002;156:750-751.
FULL TEXT
|
