Time and again data show that having an unsecured firearm poses substantial risks. Both AZPHA and the CDC have consistently highlighted the urgent need for responsible firearm storage to mitigate these risks and safeguard lives.
Gun Violence in Arizona – Data to Inform Prevention Policies – AZPHA
In a new MMWR last week CDC underscored that that firearms are a leading cause of injury and death in the United States. In 2021 alone, firearms were involved in 47,286 deaths, a staggering statistic that reveals a 23% increase in firearm-related fatalities since 2019.
Unintentional injuries, suicides, and homicides make up the bulk of these tragic incidents, many of which could be prevented with proper firearm storage.
Safe firearm storage is not just about preventing theft or unauthorized use; it is fundamentally about saving lives. The CDC’s data shows a troubling trend: approximately 40% of households with firearms do not store them securely, leaving them accessible to children and individuals at risk of harming themselves or others.
Firearms should always be stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition to reduce the likelihood of accidents and misuse.
The issue of firearm safety is particularly pressing in Arizona, which has one of the highest rates of gun violence in the nation. Our report from last year found that Arizona had more than 1,200 firearm deaths in 2020, with a significant number resulting from unsecured firearms in homes.
Arizona’s statistics reflect a broader national challenge and highlight the urgent need for better education and policies around firearm storage.
Communities can take proactive steps to address this public health crisis. Passing statewide safe storage laws (sometimes called Child Access Prevention laws) are the best intervention.
Promoting awareness about the importance of safe storage and implementing community-based interventions, such as providing free gun locks and educational resources, can also make an impact.
Child Access Prevention laws are effective because they compel adults who own firearms to recognize their responsibility in preventing unintended injuries and deaths by adopting safe storage practices by exposing them to criminal and civil liability if they fail to do so.
The results of the November election are critical for our ability to pass common-sense firearm safety legislation like a Child Access Prevention law.
Fortunately, AZPHA is in a very good position to influence the discussions with our landmark report: Gun Violence in Arizona – Data to Inform Prevention Policies
